853 Nassau St. Wpg. Can
July 22-17.

My dear husband.-

Sunday afternoon, and Shirley off to Sunday School. We have been having some very hot weather. Yesterday and Friday were scorchers - but about 10 p.m. a real cold wind sprang up which was very refreshing. To day is pleasant yesterday morning the postie cam early and I got my Patriotic Chk, ($24ºº this time). Had been waiting for The Emerson, but it has not come yet. I hope They are not giving it up. Well, I got my chk. Cashed at the Drug store, so walked down to the little post office at Morley and mailed the two boxes from the Kiddies to you. - registered Lucia's parcel. Sent one roll of papers to you- sent the Clergyman and got 50¢ stamps. It was a big lot of mailing but I have all done up to date now. Coming back I got some scones in a bakery near the P.O. - some groceries at P.andB. and a bit of pork. and then home. My it was hot. Left the children at Gunns.

Billy is all right again. Just stopped giving him the oil on Saturday. Dr. McRae phoned on Fri and said to get him back to a full dish by degrees. He has a real good appetite.

Well, I think I've decided not to go to Strathclair - after all, but am taking them out to the park as often as I can, and will likely have a day or two at St. Peters. Yesterday at 3 p. . - just after the milk cam we set off in the heat to River Park - took our supper along and stayed till it got cool. Shirley climbed trees and slid down hill on her sit down etc. and had a great time. Billy climbed some - but chiefly ate, - and lay with his head on my lap. There is a sister - in - law of Mr. Woods visiting him just now from Toronto (Miss Plowman) and she is very charming with me. It is strange but they all seem to select me, out of this row. She will just be here till Aug. 21. and she is coming to the Park with us some day. We stopped and had a look at the little train - and the merry-go-round. I will have to take them on it some time.(Fancy me sailing around on the merry-go-round) I guess Shirley could go on a horse, and Billy and I in one of those round baskets, where we'd be sure not to Fall out. He says he will sit on my knee. I had the club bag - to carry our lunch a quart of lemonade and a pint of tea. - and even the bag simply is a load. I wont take so much again for you can get water there. and will just take a little basket. I guess I told you I had quarreled with Mrs. Faulkner. I just passed yesterday for the first - said "Good-Morning", and she answered. I will not bother about them - but wont have the kid in any more. I am not going to be called such names to my own children by him. and I don't think they are "my style" anyway - only they were quite anxious to be in with me. They had a party on his Mr. F birthday. and she invited all the folks along- but us. and next morning, she put herself about to tell me that the neighbors had given Mr. F. a surprise party - had not even let her know They were coming - after her inviting them. She ran Mrs. Foreman to death, right after she came - and told him that she did not love Faulkner - that she had a lover in England and he told Mr. Foreman - that his wife's father was a "[?]" They were having a great row the evening of the day I went for her. He was going it like a Steam Engine, - I think it was about me, etc. She put down her window at last so I did not hear - but I kept in doors that eve - expecting he might have been having a go at me outside.

Did I tell you I have Miss Cleudeuning sleeping here now. She is doing housework in a lawyer's home just at Nassau Bap. Church. - and slept at Foremans - is Mrs. Foreman's sister - so I was worrying about you - and feeling so lonely and blue- and asked her to sleep here while her sister is away. I find she has been sleeping on a sofa in there (just one room furnished)- and it was doing her a good turn. She is a good girl, and nice. Gets up about 7 - and goes to her work in time for breakfast, and gets home about 7.30. Is off after 2 p.m. on Thursday's and Sundays - so I'd have her for tea, tho' she will likely go to Foreman's oftener. I guess it is as good as I can do - no extra work except to wash the sheets. and I guess she will make up for that. She brought us a find feed of green peas for dinner to-day. (ours should be ready in a week.) One blessing - she has no trunk- just a suit case. Her young man is a soldier - and has just gone to St. John - Quebec.

Did I ever tell you that the soldiers next door to her one called Olson, died - a couple of months ago. She does not get any pension, because it was turberculosis - and he had it before he inlisted - and she did not get any thing from his Insurance in the Odd fellows because she had let $16 pass without paying it when she should. It seems rather hard.

Mrs. Ross phoned to-day. They will be leaving about the end of next week. For Qu'appella . Am sorry they are going. Miss Poole has not gone yet, but trying to get away.

I must write a line to congratulate Miss Reid (Parkinson.) and tell her we shall go to see her when we can - and tell her to come over to see us. Maybe she would spend a p.m. in Kildonan Park. She lives near the North Hanes Car. We are counting on going to Broadway Baptist to-night - Miss C. will come too. I think Riley Smalley will be there to-night - and likely W.C. next 2 Sundays. It will soon be 3 weeks since I was down street. I have not bought "my goods" yet. Will have to get a pair of "Sunday Shoes" and a white skirt (about 1.50) and look at the Sale hats. Mrs. Gunn got one cheap now - and will wear it next summer. I hardly think I shall. I go out so little, and it will soon be fall. I think I'll save for a warm closh coat. May get Thorey to make one - if it is cheaper.

When I stop to think - it seems odd to be writing such "light" stuff, as the foregoing, to you there, in the midst of horrors - and hardships. It may sound different to you, - it's just what is going on her. I am wondering when there will be a letter from you again. Is there any set length of time you stay in the trenches and out of them? Russia has been doing badly again. It's a shame the way she has been acting. I hope they get back to business soon. When will it End!

Tues. eve. I should have mailed this, on Sun. and started a fresh one, as I intended. But yesterday I did a big washing and baked bread (too save fuel) and the heat was awful. It has turned cool this p.m.

We went to Broadway - very few out. It was Rev. Matthews P. Smalley must have got something else. W. C. is to be there next two weeks. Then Rev. Kaye, then a stranger. The Text was "Jesus wept" - a nice simple talk - sympathetic like the man (or his style.) I got a 2nd trench card on Mon. - why 2, I wonder - yesterday Mr. Hargrave phoned to see how Billy was - was just sending a letter to his son "Eric" he calls him, and wanted to put in it how Billy was, It was real kind of him. He says I am to call on him, any time, - any thing he can do - not to think it is too much trouble to him.

I see poor Mr. Pryor's name in the list of wounded to-night. It made me feel awful - knowing that you may have been right beside him, I wonder if he was badly hurt. I shall write to Mrs. Pryor. It is so long before we get any particulars - and the suspense is awful. I see a Mr. Knowles, (Emerson) in the wounded too. I can't to Ruby's now - it would be misery out there Tho' I wish she were living in here. I hope you are well - but - know you are always in danger. We all went down town after an early lunch. I got my bank book all marked up to date. All the chks were cashed, except the Phone. So I have $113. about now - with 2nd to come from Emerson - and my assigned pay. I got your medal ribbon and am sending it in this; Also got some candles to send in the next parcel, will also send some more Old Chum. If there is anything else you'd like be sure to mention it I got a pair of shoes - just $2ºº will do nicely for good pr a while and I have boots still. Got a white skirt $1.75 and a white sailer hat 1.75 but I am not sure that I'll keep it. I won't need anything more this summer. Expect to make up a hat of old stuff for Shirley one of these days. Well, I'll close now, and shall be anxiously waiting for your next letter. Our thoughts are with you, and I do hope and pray for a speedy end to it. And that you will be home safe and well. God - bless and keep you safe. There seems so little we can do here only to work and watch and watch - and Keep up hope.

Love and Kisses from us all
Betty xxx