MS Plymouth and West Devon Area Record Office Acc No 308: 4/1/70 1
My dear Mary,
There are very anxious accounts of poor uncle James, the last Kate Low had seemed to think he must give himself up to be an invalid, I think however that the power of bearing confinement often comes with weakness, in those who have been most active – and what a blessing his wife is. 2 What should we have done but for her? I do not like the accounts of Alethea Pode’s long cough, I suppose they cannot spare her to have it cured by country air. 3 All ‘the other house’ has had an odd little epidemic- and some in the village – it is like a very slight low fever for about two days. I really think Louisa Halliday herself was the only one that missed it, and her little Edith who is about her teeth was the worst- however she was able to carry her home to Southsea yesterday, and Mary Walter went too, having been quite bad all Friday and Saturday- and unable to play the harmonium on Sunday. 4Mary Plumridge was also ill all Sunday.5 Helen and Maurice were not bad enough for bed, but Alethea, Arthur and Gertrude all were, however if it is fine today, Helen, Arthur and Maurice are coming up here for an hour while the nursery is aired. Next week I am to spend with Miss Dyson, Church Crookham, Farnham. I go on Monday and come home Saturday, she has been much less well than usual this autumn, and cannot go from home, for the Christmas holidays when she is left quite alone. So her friends are dividing the time amongst them, as solitude does not seem to agree with her bodily. Mr Savage has sent me in his bill for the photographs your share is 10/6. 6 If you will send it in 1d stamps it will suit me as well as any other way or rather better.
Kate Low felt the cold week very much in her knees and her voice but she is better now
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