1916 Letter 13
[1916]
Dear Mother,
I’m feeling so gay I can scarcely write. I’m on my way to England to see the boys.
I’m sure you’ll lie back and wonder what has happened, but don’t be het up. Absolutely nothing is wrong.
Last Saturday, Sept. 23, Myra had a cable from her brother in London saying that another brother had been killed in France, and that a younger brother still had left Canada for England.
She at once asked the O.C. if she could arrange for her return to England and he did at once. Well I had a wretched cold and felt quite done up and rather dreaded the idea of Myra’s leaving, so we decided I might as well ask for transfer too.
At first the O.C. wasn’t very keen about letting me go, as Miss Charleson is on her way out with 19 reinforcements to replace all the original sisters, and he wanted all of us to stick together and help him get rid of her.
But I’ve done my share of rowing with the Powers that be, and I put in a very strong argument in favour of my going.
As the O.C. has wanted to invalid me all summer he couldn’t very well refuse when he heard my cough.
I never thought I’d want to leave the East – but when Myra was packing it was a beastly day – cold and windy and the dust so thick I could scarcely breathe – all of a sudden I felt fed up and anxious to go.
It would have been horribly lonely, had I stayed as all the other girls were friends of some one’s and only one or two, whom none of us are keen about were rooming alone.
That all happened Saturday. Sunday am my transportation came and after lunch I was starting to pack when the whole unit came down to know what I had to sell.
I sold that linen holdall trimmed with pink ribbon (which I have never used) for $3.00!!! to a girl who is crazy about pink. I also sold two white linen shirt-waists I had at the "Children’s" for a dollar each to a girl who hadn’t anything to ride in.
Altogether I took in £9. It may sound like daylight robbery but when a girl about my size and build went home without offering to sell a thing I was furious. The girls all said it was the best sale they’d ever been at. I had a knitted jacket all made except to put a border on and Brock took that.
Heavens how we laughed. Myra and Lloyd being of the over build were the only two who could do business together and they were awfully funny. They both have to have their things made to order and Lloyd almost cried she was so glad she could buy some thing that she could put on at once.
McLaughton Jones took the famous chair and took no further interest thereafter but retired to her own vine and fig tree to be really comfortable. As you have a long back you can understand her feelings.
We had a committee to arrange prices. They were just deciding how much Brock should pay me for my time spent on the knitted jacket when the O.C. arrived in great haste to say the ambulance was waiting for us!!!!
We had been told we’d go on Monday and hadn’t even started to pack!!!
The way the girls pitched in was wonderful – some one put buttons in my uniform- some one else packed my trunk. I packed my bag and dressed and in half an hour we were ready to walk out.
In the meantime the O.C. received a wire from town that we needn’t go till Monday.
Myra who had kept up till then broke down and had hysterics and we settled down again for another day.
We left Monday at 2pm. and got on board about 430.
You’ve no idea how insolent middle class English persons can be when they are given a little authority. The trip was uneventful and we quite enjoyed it in spite of our treatment.
We found a number of men we knew who were patients and really had heaps of fun.
We reached Malta yesterday afternoon (Saturday) landed about 5pm and were sent to the Villiceo Portelli, a convalescent Home for Sisters. The grounds are very old and very attractive, and we like everything very much.
We went out for a drive last night after dinner and it was simply beautiful.
I think we’ll like Malta. I have no idea how long we’ll be here, probably 3 or 4 days.
The last letter I had from you you were expecting Don almost any minute and I am hoping I’ll be in England before him.
After all I’ve done over a year out here and I feel quite justified in asking for a change. We are both marked "Debility" but are not patients at all.
Where I’ll go when I reach England I have no idea. I’d like to go to France again but if that is impossible I think Shornecliffe is as central as any place and I’d be near the boys.
Myra regrets terribly the fact that she didn’t go home before now that Arthur has been killed and after looking at all sides of the question I decided I’d done my duty by the unit and after all the boys are something more to me than any unit.
I’m afraid Miss C. who has been in England all summer – invalided – has cooked our goose (as a unit) with the Matron-in-chief, but after the Scotty affair I’m not anxious to figure in any more investigation and think I’m well out of it all.
Miss C. is a clever though unscrupulous woman and a very plausible talker. The M-in C. likes her and no doubt thinks us a pack of devils. The lady has over-reached herself this time though we think. She did not tell the OC or ask his permission to send us all back and he is simply furious. He says he won’t have her back and refuses to let the old Sister be kicked out like that.
She left England a week ago with her gang and we’ll know soon how things have turned out.
We are going down town to lunch at the Women’s Club, so I will continue the tale of my adventures later. Heaps of love to Don if he is there. I can scarcely wait to see them both, the dear boys.
Yours lovingly,
Helen.
Villa Portelli
Malta.
Oct. 1st.