2110-2-6-13

Thomas Nelson and Sons PUBLISHERS

35 & 36 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON, E.C.

Nov: 23: 11

My dearest wee mother

I had a comfortable enough journey last night. I found a young Monteith in the hotel. He was at Oxford with me & is minister of Elie & says he has met Anna & knows the Camerons. He and his brother are in Edinburgh just now waiting on a very serious operation which their mother is undergoing. So we have no monopoly of sorrow. I slept peacefully in the train & woke with my headache cured. I found Susie very well. It is a mercy that nothing has happened while I have been away. "Laura" will be sent to you to-day. Tell Walter Norton will send off the suit to-morrow evening, & he will get it on Saturday evening. I enclose letters from Dr Fleming, Mrs Belloc-Lowndes, Miss Sickert, Strachey, A.F. Roberts & the Fergusons of [Providence?]. You might send a

card to the Fergusons. I will write to the others. Fleming's is a kind letter.

I have a lot of arrears of work here which will keep me from thinking. Tonight I shall go through dear Father's MSS., and will write you about the book. I am writing to old Willie to-day. It is fine dry cold weather here. My thoughts are all with you & the others, & that empty room & that corner in the kirkyard. I do hope your health is keeping up. Nan will have a breakdown unless she is careful, & make Walter look after himself. He is far too thin.

Much love, my own wee dear mother

Your affectionate son

John