1 National Health Insurance Commission (Ireland),
Pembroke House,
Upper Mount Street,
Dublin. 14th March 1916 My dearest and best, I didn’t intend to write to you today but I
suppose you would like to have a line so I am taking the
opportunity of a few minutes quiet to thank you for today’s
letter. I haven’t a word of news unfortunately to send you. Last
night I brought home two or three files of papers from the office to
clear up staff matters which have been bothering me for a good
while past. Certain of the temporary male clerks at present employed
here are likely to be dispensed with about the end of the month
and it was up to me to provide an expedient. That’s one of my
particular little worries, to deal with staff questions, rearrange duties
for each person, look after the getting of money voted by Parliament
for salaries re. and so on and so forth until I get worried
to death nearly sometimes and feel inclined to throw a book at the
head of some silly ass who comes to me asking what he is to do with
some simple case he is dealing with. Well I cleared up the matter fairly
well last night, drafted a letter to be sent to the Treasury in the 2 matter and sailed off to bed. Result sleeplessness for a couple
of hours owing to working so late and then I got to thinking
about you and how you had enjoyed Mrs Kelly’s party and looking
forward to your letter this morning. Eventually I went to sleep and
dreamed about you, that we had quarrelled- I forget whether before
or after marriage- and made it up in the end after a lot of tears
and kisses on both sides. I hope the kisses part will come true
and that we may miss the quarrel and the tears. I was much
amused with your account of Mrs Kelly as a hostess. I told my
mother that part of your letter about Ned Casey not being up to the
mark for Mrs Kelly and she laughed fit to burst over it. How is
it Laddie didn’t see the bride? Was he also not up to the mark
for the drawing room and was he left to a “carman’s treat” in
the kitchen!! I’m annoyed that John Duffy should think I
wouldn’t spend time with him. I never saw him in Hopkin’s and am
surprised he wouldn’t speak himself if he saw me. Was the Mrs with
him at the time or was he alone? Sorry to hear Johnnie is
still without news. Must close now as there is one of the men
at my elbow waiting to see me. I send you my warmest
love as usual and wish I could show it in a more practical
and satisfying way than on paper. Your devoted lover for ever and ever
James