No. 48.
France
3/1/18.

My Dear Mother,

Your letter of Dec 3^rd which arrived this evening, was certainly a relief to me, as your last (Nov. 9) surely did look very bright. I am rightly glad that Dad is better, and hope he keeps so. I am also glad that you have practically decided to dispose of the business, and I hope that you are able to do so entirely, rather than carry it on. Then you could go with Dad, which would be better in two ways. You would be with him, and you would get a much needed change, and I would hope a rest, as surely the change will do him good.

You know just how I felt about going home. I knew you needed me there, but felt you could get along without me, in a kind of way, at least. Of course they could get along without me here, much more easily than you could, but I feel my place is here. It did not lie with the Col., as I explained to you, and had I been able to get away, it would really have been thro Major Clark. Of course the recommendation, would have to come from the Col. in the first place. However, I hope now that there will be no further need for it, as now it would be impossible for months.

I have been wondering where the parcels from you, and Miriam, had gone. I am sure you said in one of your letters that she had sent hers and you were sending yours. However, if they had not been posted, it will be all right. I was afraid they might have been blown up at Halifax. I had a nice parcel from Hazel the other day, and last night, a peach of a parcel from Bert Stover. She certainly knows the stuff to send. Just a word about any parcels you send. The scarce things here are biscuits, etc. or anything made from flour, and candy. It is more expensive than scarce tho. In the canteens, where things are cheapest, it costs six pence for six of those biscuits with raisins in, about the size of a soda biscuit, and down town, they are much more expensive. Chocolates at the stores cost about half a franc (about 10¢) each, but just at Christmas we were able to get quite a decent box for two francs, but only for a few days. Any kind of biscuits and candy, homade or otherwise, will surely be welcome, also cream cheese, honey or maple syrup.

I surely missed your letters, but it is all right, when I see why, and you surely have been a brick to carry on, as well as you have. I hope the worst is over.

Thanks very much for your Christmas gift, I will let you know when it arrives.

That inoculation against Typhoid, has to be done every twelve months, to be effective, so we will continue to get them as long as the war continues. It has proved very good policy, as typhoid cases are few and far between.

We have no patients in yet, and things are quite quiet. Old Fritzy has not bothered us either, altho I believe he was over to see us at noon to-day, likely taking our pictures for his files.

Your Affectionate son,
Worth.

P.S. You might put one apple in each parcel, it should carry if wrapped. I believe Claire Denton is near here, I tried to find out up at the battery, this morning, but the driver was not around.

[a second letter has been written by Worth’s mother using the back sides of the paper:]

My Dears,

This came at noon – and I tell you it was great to get it I feel so much more satisfied – now I know they are all settled together again, and if only Fritz stays away from them. It is very cold out to-night and the [gas?] is the worst yet we are lucky I tell you to have coal – altho it is an awful dirty thing and my cellar seems so dusty. I really finished the ironing to-day Mrs Mather’s could not come and I hated to keep it around any longer – I will send your parcel to-morrow Nerta if possible. Of course the Ladies Aid meets here to-morrow and I may not get to it – Unless I get very smart in the A.M. I got a [?], new cake box and am taking my old one and am going to put Worths belongings in it, and I got a small pad lock for it. So no one can touch anything, unless I give them the key – and if should happen It can easily be taken out safely and I will keep my “valuables and jewels” in it also. Dad is about as usually. Just gone to bed. I wrote Mir a few lines and went down and posted it, as it was time to send her money – and I fully expected a letter from her, but was disappointed. The train was over an hour late. Saw Ira and his wife to-day. They are keeping house. His mother’s in Port [Burdoell].

I have just finished an 8 page letter to Worth. Poor kid I was as [?] I did not write him as usual, when dad was sick – even tho I did expect he would get home But it is all over now and he will be getting letters regularly and I hope by this time my cable sent at Christmas and boxes – before and later I will get a final one off this week, also one to one of the boys Saw Clara and Addie to-night on my way home from the office Addie leaves in a week for Buffalo. Clara seems perfectly well. We had a [?] returned Soldier speak at the Parish Hall last night – Lieut McGarven from near Woodstock. He says not to send cigarettes to France as they are much cheaper there in France than here – to send good strong boxes even if they weigh a little heavy. Better to send less each in a food box than in a box that will be broken up and eats no good when they arrive there, as he often as seen happen. Frank Darrow is trying to get into the flying corps. He is so weary of the trenches after [?] in them.

Ault is headed for home in about 2 mon. [Luskies?] is home and looks well. I dreamed Ian were home too Nerta the other night – Try me and see if I mis speak. I wish you and Mir could come together for a weekend. It seems funny to send Mir candy. But I guess you sent her what you would like Some one to send you – Eh! I do not remember [Mr Beny?] being at Seaforth – O yes he was the [?].

Hope your washing will be satisfactory – I will occasionally when I can [?] a dollar from the house money to help you out – But not this month. For whom are you doing sox how much a lb. I do not think I would like wooden needles thanks dear – Send table napkins. Glad Ian could stay in the old room at school. I never liked Vaudeville at Atlantic City. It always seemed a waste of time and money. That might have been very nervous about the Burgler. You are quite a detective. He sure had his nerve. Glad you saw the old womans home. It may be for me yet. How nice to have clean bedroom walls – No we did not hear about the “Y” closing glad it is false tho. Hope you had good luck with exams and teaching this week.

Well I guess this all to night. I have no news. Nerta I think you better put in an application for a school here – So if you do want it here next fall you might get it. For I do not want to be alone another winter and I do not want to keep you back a year – So put in at once please – I am not afraid you would not get along – Life is too short to live like this.

I hear sounds up stairs and my eyes are almost shut. Hope you are both well. Dad would send his love. If he were awake I know. I do not expect to write anymore this week – Good Night.

Lovingly
Mother.