Sandal House
Sandal. Wakefield
Wednesday. Mar. 21. '17
Dearest Heart:
We are having such a whirl of gaiety such as I haven't known for years. Aunt Edie wanted me to meet all your mother's old friends and she had arranged to have tea or luncheon or something with all of them and so I am being feted on all sides. You will be glad to know it is done with strict regard to rations and the food limitations form an amusing subject for conversation. To-day we had lunch at a Miss Clarkson's who lives in a lovely big place about a mile out of Wakefield. The gardens are beautiful and the house and furniture but - somehow I can't get used to all the servants that are deemed necessary to keep these places beautiful. Several servants for just one old lady and these servants spending most of their time polishing furniture which is never used and cleaning silver, not a quarter of which is ever needed. Of course these old places are very beautiful and interesting and I do delight in visiting them, it just strikes me as curious when I know (or I think) the old lady in question would be better and happier if she did at least half the work herself.
In the afternoon we went to Leeds to see Aunt Emily and Florrie and Ethel. They want me to stay a few days with them so I told them I would go on Monday and stay till Wednesday. You had better send the letters here - Aunt Edie will see that I get them. On Wednesday Mar. 28 I go back to London so 2 Linnell Close will find me again. For a time anyway, then I have decided to go to Roehampton if I can get in. I think you will like that won't you.
Mrs. Thomson will put in a word for me. I'm sorry you are losing Mr. Thomson after he proved himself so much worth while. I wonder who will take his place. Is your knee very much swollen dear heart - they were wise to camouflage it! If only I could see you every day and hold your hand and read to you and do all the thousand things I see the women doing for their wounded ones in hospitals. I must close for I am very sleepy after all this rushing about. Aunt Edie is a marvel - she is never tired. All my love dear heart to make you happy. Your little pal, Alice Leighton.
