1917 Letter 9
The Canadian Pacific Ocean Services Ltd….
R.M.S.
Oct. 17 – 19[17]
Another good-bye Mother dear with the prospect of still another as I hear we go to H- to wait for our convoy. However I can’t say whether we’ll be allowed to land again or send off mail.
The ship is deserted except for ourselves – there are about 15 Sisters on now and about as many more to come on later. There are also 4 V.A.D.s and about half a dozen men.
It seems strange to see the deck and dining saloon so deserted.
I think the trip will be pleasant. I have found several Sisters I know and like and the others are all promising looking. I am bunking with my pet aversion Doncet – whom I told you of. She was so officious coming over. But now shorn of her little brief authority she seems much nicer and we get on very well.
The Miss Fraser Mr. Fisher spoke of is on and seems a nice girl.
Last night I wish you could have heard the conversations. Everyone was all in and spoke bitterly of the people who had insisted on coming in and on asking them to address public meetings. They all wanted to sleep and their families had made them be civil and they were all fed up with the attitude of Canadians in general anyway and didn’t see why they should be made to give up their leave to entertain them.
So my experience wasn’t unusual. However they all agreed it was worth it to get home, and were all blue about leaving.
One of them had to leave a dying mother and one a father so compared with them the rest of us have no trouble at all.
We are due at Quebec soon and may be allowed off but I doubt it.
We have very good cabins and I think it will be a very pleasant trip.
I went to bed as soon as I got on last night and didn’t wake till 9:30. The stewardess got some breakfast for me as I’d missed it. I feel fine now.
There is no more news. I got all the things I’d forgotten in Montreal and am OK. My flannels are most comfortable as it is bitterly cold. However it s a Can. boat and well heated.
Must stop now. With heaps of love –
Yours always
Helen
4 pm