1918 Letter 3
Can. Officers Hosp.
Matlock Bath, D[ ].
April 18. [1918]
My darling Mother –
I can’t realize it is true about Aunt Lauder. I just got Papa’s letter this morning and how I feel for you – all alone – through it all – I do seem to be so far away at times like this, Mother dear. He wrote on Tuesday before you got back so could give only the barest details.
It has knocked me up more than anything has, but I am thankful and happy to know that we had come to know each other better and that awful misunderstanding had been righted. I expect you are almost beside yourself – for right on top of that you would hear about Don – and altogether you would be nearly crazy. Della wrote by the same mail and would I know do all she could – but I am so far away from you, that does hurt at times like this.
I had so looked forward to knowing Aunt Lauder better, and strangely enough I have thought about her almost constantly this last few weeks – and had just begun to realize how much we would have to talk about if we ever met again. Her last few letters have been lovely – and I am so thankful to have them.
I had a week’s leave in London. Myra was there till Friday when she went to Orpington. Then Squire and I went down to the Can. Forestry Hosp. to visit the girls – Mabe, [ ] & McAlpine. We stayed till Tuesday am. and had a lovely time and a good rest. Then I came back to town reported and came here yesterday.
It is a lovely spot and the work is not hard. I will send you some post cards. Micky is here and I know all the others so it really isn’t like going among strangers but I am lonely in a way. I miss Myra and the girls I was with for so long. We went through so much together that it seems to have made us hang together whenever we meet. I like Squire very much. She was in Russia and we were East so long that until recently I hadn’t seen her since 1915.
To-day I am just getting my bearings but there isn’t much to do, so I am writing diligently. Have written Eric and will write George about Aunt Lauder and Don too. I sent on his last letter – he doesn’t think he will make England. Things look pretty bad – I can’t imagine the Germans in Baill[ ] – it seemed so far back even in the days when we spent a night there – and now it is in ruins.
I don’t think you need worry over Eric, dear – your last letter was written the 22nd and you were wondering. I gave him the devil a couple of weeks ago and received a most penitent reply. Give him a chance until he gets started as an officer. He is going to assign me $25 a month till I get paid up and then I will send it to Papa.
At last I have got my furs. I saved all winter and got a set of black fox when I was in London. They cost $125, and are quite good value. I am delighted to have them as furs always make you look clothed. I got a very pretty hat too, made from a model. I tried to draw a picture of it, but [ ]. I shall start to save again now and buy war loan or something sensible.
I have had a couple of letters from G. since "we parted". I think he wants to make it up – and I answered his letter giving the news of Eric he asked for but shall not do anything definite. I think this has done him good. He said goodbye on Friday and wouldn’t stay any longer, he said – Then he did stay after all and thought I’d have changed my mind. He certainly was surprised when I didn’t. I like G. too well to lose him as a friend – but beyond that I can only leave it to fate.
I haven’t time for anything further now but will write again. My heart aches for you Mother darling, and I long to get your letter telling me all about it. But really Mother wasn’t it a nice way for her to go, not as lingering old age that she would have hated. But it is too awful. I can’t realize it yet. With much love, I am.
Yours always
Helen.