2110-2-11-7

Thomas Nelson and Sons PUBLISHERS

PARKSIDE WORKS, DALKEITH ROAD, EDINBURGH

Jan: 22: 14

My own little darling

I hope you got my wire in good time yesterday, & that my postcard arrived safely. I had a very comfortable journey, which I spent reading the History of the American Civil War. Walter met me at the station. Scotland is enjoying clear beautiful weather, wonderfully mild, and there is practically no snow, so Ettrickhead tonight looks fairly simple. We had a wonderfully good meeting, about as many as Simon had, Ramsay Smith said. I made a pretty good speech, for I was feeling well though a bit tired, and the audience was - for Peebles - curiously responsive. In fact I quite carried them away at the end.

The austere Clink thought it the best speech I had ever made & Ramsay Smith said I had surpassed myself and thinks it was worth 10 of Simon's. There were a great many Radicals there, & I hope I scared them. But I wish I had had a wee [?] yellow cat purring beside me.

Tell Mother that Nan & Walter are both well & very glad that she is better at enjoying herself. I do hope you are well, my darling, & taking great care of yourself. I am desperately lonely without you & the children. But the time will soon pass. I hope Mother will be well & enjoy herself.

Give my profound respects to the Hunnish Mr John & the blessed Wozer, and my best love to your blessed self

Your ever affectionate

[John?]

Your letter has just come in. Many thanks for it, little one. It was very amusing about the [Fred? ?]