Ward 3
No. 2 Military Hospital
Exert - Devon
Dec. 30-1917

Dear Mother-

All traveling jake. No worries at all. Here go to answer your long letter of Nov. 13, which sure was welcome as the flowers in May. So old Paddy has returned from the north, looking like a young one? Good for him. I had a letter from him yesterday and am very sorry to hear they had such poor luck. They need a good man on the job I am afraid.

Thanks very much for the photos for King. He sure will be lucky to get them. I will forward them to him as soon as I receive them.

So I lsobel is now trying to pos as a Gibson girl. Can she stand the strain? I hope she makes good and gains the experience that she desires of course there is not much money at the start but it all helps and she is learning something. I am glad to hear that her health is much better. There is nothing like a mother's watchfull eye. Carl Miller seems to some sport. I hope Isobel had a good time at the Empress among the big ones, and composed herself as if she was used to it.

I am glad to hear that young Taylor is once more running around. It is a big handicap to him to be so maimed so early in life - however - tell him from me - cheerio and best wishes for 1918.

We sure will have some livestock around the shack when I get back. I don't mind being an amateur farmer - but I don't like the idea of doing nothing else. So you pick out - and I'll keep it in trim. By the way how is the avrary coming along. Next time Eric sees the Harris'es tell him to give them my best wishes for 1918. Tell grace I am much obliged for her thoughtfulness, but when I go out to take into me a wife I'll pick her myself. And that won't be for some time yet.

I am glad Eric landed so nicely on his feet. Good Luck and success to him in 1918.

No French Wife for me, mother of mine. I am going to live in B.C. when the war is over, and believe in encouraging home products.

I meant to give you a little more nice news this letter but I have so many Christmas letters to answer I am afraid I will have to abandon the idea. Next letter ill give a long chapter. No new news from Dundel, Greenock, Glasgow, Liverpool or Southampton or from Lee. I got a letter from Mrs. Sch?elderup yesterday. It was she who sent the books all right. Bill is O.K. in France. Mrs. S wants me to drop in and see here when I am on leave and I sure will try to make it. She is a nice little woman.

Well, I think that my news is exhausted. Good luck and good health - keep on smiling. I am eagerly awaiting you promised Christmas parcel - it will look like home. you bet. Regards to Aunt Nancy, ?, Mr. and Mrs. Rognass, and the rest

Your loving son
Rory