Seward House, Badsey, Evesham
Nov 27th /00
My dear Kath
I know you are thinking dreadful things of me for not having written for so long but they post rather early in the week often and I am generally very busy over some particular thing, and feel I cannot write. I should have written last week, if I had not written such a long one to May. I am beginning this before tea, as Father is not in. I always tell you things I think other people will not do, so you must not mind me leaving out other things. Is this not an awful pen? Just look at the blots. I beg to state that it is not my own.
I must now thank you for two letters, and your share of my purse. It is such a nice one, Mother chose it. It is not unlike hers but rather smaller. I had five presents and six letters, besides one or two messages sent in letters, so I did not do badly. It is a very pretty silk white blouse that Father and Mother gave me, a soft collar, with lace collar and cuffs. I think the black skirt in your cupboard will fit well, without alteration. Mary sent me a hair brush, the bristles are rather longer than my old one, with the same kind of back, I think it is rather a good one. Ada gave me a very nice black and white silk tie, with fringe, the new fashion (personally, I generally prefer them without, but I shall have to be in the fashion for once). Mrs Griffin in the afternoon brought me a tie also, a plain mauve silk one, it was very good of her. She also brought Baby a white pussy to put round her neck, Baby was delighted with it, she always did love “cats” as she calls them. I heard from Blanche and Maggie, but none of the girls at school. It is after 10 o’clock, Mother and I have been cutting up apples for jam this evening, we have 10 lbs. Since then I have done a little work, and now I must finish this. We have decided to give Mother a dozen hankys for her birthday. I am getting them from Ireland, price 7/6 and 2/-, to be marked E.S. in embroidery, pretty simple letters of course. But it is much better to have them marked, as it is such a nuisance not to have them marked, and we do not have time to embroider now. I hope you will not think 9/6 too much between us all. Mary has asked for Mother’s birthday, so I suppose she intends giving her something. The Literary came off today. I played shockingly. The music is always very difficult to follow of that piece, as it looks all so alike. I did not really feel very nervous but somehow nothing would induce me to follow the notes, and when I lost my place, I simply could not find where I had got to. I got on rather better the latter part. People were very kind over it. I think I have at last got Coulters’ bill. It was 3/-, 1/6 a piece, I paid it yesterday. I am enjoying hot cocoa whilst writing this. We felt we deserved it after apples. I shall have to borrow a little money for you somewhere, you only left 1/6 and it will not pay 1/6 for bike and birthday presents. Jack’s present was 4/9, and Baba’s 1/4. I saw such a dear little muff in the town the other day, just like Bach’s “funny things”, so Mother said if it was still there she should like to have it for her as it was only 1/-. I saw it again yesterday and got it. Baby is so pleased with it. Tomorrow is Mrs Griffin’s birthday, Father is going to send her a rose tree as a present, I and Mother have got a couple of pictures to send her. I like to hear all about you going into Windsor, very much. You can always tell me particulars when you go. I must write to Sister soon, as I believe she expects a letter from me. I heard from Muriel and Amy not long ago. I heard from Gwen last week, she just saw May when she was at Richmond. She was feeling somewhat wild at having to refuse an invitation to go out to India, to see the Kachs. I do not know if I ever told you that Enid is going in for cookery; she is in London, attending the National School of Cookery. It is 11 o’clock, I cannot write any more.
Much love from your sister
Detty
