Badsey
Evesham
Mar 23/99
My Dear Kathleen,
Although it is not my turn to write to you this week I must just enclose you a few lines to wish you very many happy returns of your birthday and I hope “18” may prove a lucky year. We think of giving you 5/- as a present, thinking the money may be useful this time.
It is rather too cold to be pleasant although it is better than wet weather, I have had a man doing up the kitchen garden and cutting superfluous wood out of the orchard trees etc., for Roberts cannot manage more than the house gardens, I expect the frost will be found to have injured the blossom on the wall fruit trees, but I hope other things, including small fruits, are sufficiently backward to escape.
The play rehearsals begin to go a bit better, I am rather afraid Mrs Gilpin will be a bit of a drag, I don’t think much of that party!
I am glad you will be home for the event but I fear Jimmy will be out of it.
With best wishes to you my dear girl.
I remain
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
