2110-2-9-36

Thomas Nelson and Sons PUBLISHERS

PARKSIDE WORKS DALKEITH ROAD, EDINBURGH.

Nov: 27: 13

My own dearest little one

You have never been out of my thoughts since I left. All the way up - above the noise of the train, above the barking of the Moufflés on the fells [deleted by ST] - I heard A. Barker [ST: my cough] going it strong. I do hope you are a little easier. I got Rosslyn at Euston, but we had a theatrical company travelling with us & that drew him off at Crewe. He is a queer creature. I got to Peebles at 7 & immediately sent off the wire & the postcard. Norma was there, talking 19 to the dozen. I changed in a hurry, had two poached eggs & rushed off to the Drill Hall. The place was packed, about 800 to 900 people. Dunn never turned up, having mistaken the night. Nan had a letter from him this evening, saying he was coming to night. The consequence was she had to take his place & recite Wee Macgreegor. It was a

splendid & very enthusiastic meeting. The whole staff from Portmore was there! Mrs [M? Claude?] wasn't as good as usual. Except at the end I should have said she was very poor. I waited till the dance began - immaculate young men in dress clothes & white waistcoats & wonderfully-dressed young ladies. Alas & alack Charlie Lawson, the joiner from Lamancha, came in a state of intoxication & fell off the platform & bled his [white?]. That is the sort of thing that happens at Unionist shows. Norma chattered incessantly & told me one very good story. The scene : a bus - a small boy & his mother: -

Boy. "Mother, what's God's Christian name?

Mother. Hold your tongue, laddie.

Boy. "Mother what's God's Christian name?

Mother. Hold your tongue, and I'll maybe tell you later.

Boy. Well, if ye'll no tell me, I'm just going to call him Percy."

I brought Norma in today. I have just rung up Rosalind, who says that Alex is going on very well. My own prisoner, I do long for better news of you. Try, try to get well for you are all the world to me, my own little cat. Ever your affectionate John