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High Commissioner's Office,
Johannesburg.

Feb: 8: 1903

My dearest Mother

Do you think I am angry when you write
melancholic letters? Who should you lament to if not to
me? I am very sorry to hear of your many griefs.
Wait till the Muck Black Deil gets Macrobert!
[Sentence scored out.]
I am writing to Eben [his uncle] this week
as you say he feels neglected.

I have had a hard week as Lord M. has been
away at Bloemfontein seeing Joe safely off the
premises. The Board of Trade keep pestering me
with questions which often take hours finding out.
I accepted the job of Trade Commissioner with a light
heart, but I am afraid that, as the Americans