2110-2-7-12

Central Station Hotel, Glasgow.

Nov: 12: 12

My darling little one

As soon as I arrived I rang up the Home & heard the sad news. Dear Willie died last evening at 6 o'clock. He had been sinking ever since the morning and scarcely conscious. Nan & Walter arrived at 4.30, & he recognised them by their voices. At the end he began to

call on me in the same voice as he used to call me when we were boys. At 5.30 they resolved to operate as a last chance, and he died under the anaesthetic. They found a huge abcess in the peritoneum and a thickening of the pelorus [pylorus?]. The doctors say it must have been going on long before he left India. I suppose it would be the cause (or the result) of his persistent indigestion.

We are taking the coffin out to

Peebles this evening. I shall expect you to-morrow by the 10 train from Euston (change at Symington). You might bring a wreath from the children, and anything else you like. The funeral is on Thursday at 2.30 at Peebles.

Mother is bearing up wonderfully.

We must try to induce her to come back with us on Friday.

O my darling, we will never get over this. What are we to do without that dear canny brave laddie!

Much love

[Your ever affectionate?]

John