May to David Letter No. 74. 18 Manor Road, Beckenham. Monday 4. 2. 18.
My dear David,
I quite forget last Friday evening, but expect I was knitting. Saturday I had off; went shopping in the morning, to the dressmakers and to see my “Giddy” Aunt. She was not giddy but said she was absolutely dazed. Helen has gone to business, went the Monday after Christmas, and Auntie cannot get anyone to look after the children, so she is acting nurse herself! I think it is really funny, though I am sorry for the children. Georgie was in bed. I went up to see him. He seemed very happy with his toys on his bed, playing all by himself, but I don’t think myself there was any need for him to be in bed. Naturally when he and Billy are together they are noisy and mischievous, so it is my belief Auntie was only too glad to keep him upstairs for the sake of quietness. He certainly looks a bit pale for a youngster, and wouldn’t eat his breakfast. I got back in time to cook the dinner, though poor little Georgie held me very tightly to keep me there.
The afternoon I enjoyed thoroughly. Maud told me to be over at her place very early to give her a lesson, and then we were to go to No. 56 at 4.0. I reached Maud’s before 3.0. to find her out. That is the third time I have been to her house and found her out. I was glad. I knew she was over at Beckenham to see her sister-in-law. She lost her train owing to a clock being slow (most clocks are awful now the males are away) and it was a long wait for the next train.
It was getting on for 5.0. when she arrived, I believe. In the meantime I looked at a photo of you close to the piano and that gave me an inspiration and a longing. For the first time since you left I practised! Fortunately I had that book with me, one of those you gave me containing the Prelude and the Cradle piece. I practiced hard, and you seemed to encourage me. It seemed as though you were in the room, and after I had finished I felt I was walking on air.
Directly Maud came in I said we would start then and there. It was 5.0. when we reached Balham. We had a lively tea, and I left about 6.30. as I had some work to do at home. It was about 8.0. when I got home, and then I did my sewing.
Sunday morning I cleaned the front of my grey dress with benzine – at least I tried to, but the last state of that dress was worse than the first. I don’t think I can be very successful in the use of benzine.
In the afternoon Ethel went out for a walk with Percy Wraight. How far do you think they walked? As far as the Wraight’s drawing room, where they laughed and talked all the afternoon and evening. She left home at 2.20. so as to get a good long walk. I know of two others who used to set out for long walks and suddenly stop when they came to a convenient bunker.
The weather has turned wet and warm, though it hasn’t rained much. I heard from Batsfords on Saturday. The missing books and lists passed our censor, so I suppose you will get them sooner or later,
Hadn’t I better order you some more books now as they take so long to reach you?
No more news, so Goodbye for the present.
Mrs T’s affairs are now all settled, and I believe they came to less than last time. I only wrote 2 letters about them and paid one visit. Mrs T really did everything herself.