2/7/1916 Rouen
My Dearest Mother
Thank you very much for your letters of the 25th and 29th which I will now proceed to answer. I am sitting in “our garden” writing after a long afternoon on the river; it has been a glorious day hot day.
What did Mr Rawnsley mean by saying he didn’t think I should be able to travel by the 5th?
My wrist is quite healed and without a dressing: it has not quite regained its usual suppleness yet but that will come and I shall be much better off without that great growth inside it.
I am almost sure that I am not coming next Wednesday (5th) although that was what I meant when I wrote to you. But two new nurses that Matron is expecting to replenish the staff have not arrived yet, so I shall have to wait a day or two. It is rather a good thing really as otherwise I should have had such a scramble after Uncle Sid’s weekend. It is delightful to think of his being with us too. It will only mean a day or twos delay I expect. I will cable as soon as I know what date I am starting. I shall travel by the night boat from Havre: it is the only decent route and Tim is coming over with me which is awfully nice. You can certainly stop The Times while I’m home there is no object in wasting 3 or 4 bob for nothing. I was awfully tickled to think of Uncle Sid being a corporal!!
I suppose you haven’t any more news of Molly yet? Elsie seems rather “bet out” with the two boys: I fear there is too much velvet gloves and not enough iron hand. Please thank Father very much for sending me out some money. Unless I have to report on the way or any such games I shall leave Rouen at 7pm to get to Southampton about 8, London about 11 and come to you by the 4pm from Kings Cross. I have got to go to Hudson’s but that won’t take long: I can do it between 11 and 4.
If perchance I come out on the 5th I’ll wire to Father but I’m almost sure I shan’t.
When is Dr Jacobsen’s sale? I do hope it will be while I am home. How careless of Walter to fall off his bike: I shall have to go and treat him: I often have patients for water on the knee.
I shall be most pleased to see young Brewer: did you tell the Father to tell him that I was at Bonsecours? If you didn’t he will go on a false errand to the Anglo-Belge Rue St Lo.
I am very sleepy: I did my monthly reports this morning: a formidable affair, and after lunch Tim and I (having the rest of the day free) tore down to the river and seized a boat. We were awfully lucky as we went up on the tide in a blazing sun and pulled up about a mile and a half, and then hid ourselves and our boat under the lee of some weeping branches close to the shore. We read and had a huge tea of strawberries. We got back here in time for supper and I am now writing to you in the garden. It is pretending to be 9.15 but you and I and I and the sun know quite well that it is 8.15 really.
I will wire first thing in the to-morrow morning, so you’ll know about me before you get this.
There is not much news: I am very busy as always and heaps of new patients and apparatus, I will try and bring you some pictures of this place; it ia very interesting.
It is too delightful and exciting to think of seeing you both again and dear old Alford, and the garden. Well I expect I shall be with you next Sunday.
Best love to you both
Your loving Dorothy.
About Alford 