2110-2-5-3

Thomas Nelson and Sons PUBLISHERS

35 & 36 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON E.C.

[ST: We went on a yachting trip on Gerard Craig Sellar's yacht the Rannoch]

April: 4: 10

My dearest wee mother

I was so glad to get Nan's letter and hear that you were getting on well. It is characteristic that you should rush to the House of God as soon as you are able. I am writing to Glasgow, and shall be very anxious to hear what Napier says. Please let me know at once. We start at 9 o'clock on Thursday morning. You might write, say, till next Monday, to the following address

S.Y. "Rannoch" c/o Thomas Cook & Co Rue Cabristan Pera Constantinople.

After that please write to 75 Cromwell Road, London, S.W, & mark the letter 'Please forward.' If you wanted to telegraph you should wire to the Butler, 75 Cromwell Road, asking (reply paid) for the next address of the yacht & wire direct to that. I think

this is the only instruction I need send. I will try to write every day either a letter or a postcard; but you must not mind if no letters come for several days at a time.

Alison [Alice] & Nurse come up to Peebles with the night train on Wednesday. Mary is going with them & going on to Carnwath later in the day. Alison is extraordinarily good & funny just now & I am wae to leave her. She came into my room yesterday when I was shaving & watched me. Then she said reflectively, "What's John daein'?" We went to meet Uncle & Maud on Saturday. Uncle has had bronchitis but is better now, & is more ardent about politics than ever. Maud looked well.

Ian & Vera Nelson are coming to dine to-night. I send you some St Columba's magazines. I hope old Father is well. I shall have a hard life for the next two days. Please take immense care of yourself, old Mother mine, & when you come back to Peebles stay a long time.

Much love to all

Your affectionate son

John