Sunday Feb 4th

Dear Margaret

I was so relieved to get your telegram this morning saying Mother was [?] & that her condition was hopeful. I got your first one at Bexhill-on-sea where [?] & I had gone to see [?] get rid of a persistent cough. I [?] you that night and have daily [?] for a reply. When [?] came I quite gave up thinking that you would surely call if you had got mine. I was going to call tomorrow if I had not got one from you today. How I should love to go home but I am afraid to go [?] on account of the Sub. campaign. I do hope mother pulls through it would be awful for me to go back to find both parents gone & the old home in other hands.

If mother is still [?] when this arrives give her my loving sympathy and tell her that I am thinking and praying much about her. I do want her [?] when I return with my [?] after the war is over. I am wondering what is the trouble. [?] I expect. It has gone so hard with her the past few winters that I feared it this year. I do hope the [?] is over. Your cable lifted a [?] today.

You [?] surprised to learn that I am again in England. I am having 30 days leave to try to get rid of my cold. It is much better but I expect it will take all of the 30 days. It wouldn't do to get better too soon??!! Poor [?] has been bad. He fell on the ice & hurt his [?] but the cartilage in his [?] & plugged [?] side badly. Poor old [?] ran his Temp. up 102.4. [?] in attendance He is better tonight. Temp. nearly [?] & he is [?] bright.

I have taken a service in a mission hall tonight. Just in. It was crowded. It feels funny now preaching to mixed audiences & I don't think I shall like it when I go back. Did I tell you that I have resigned [?]. They will hardly have my letter yet. I feel it is best in [?] of length of the war. I expect it will create a sensation but [?] I am to spend a life time there I ought to quit now.

I was very very sorry to hear of your eye trouble. I hope that it is not to seriously inconvenience you. Better for to have a cataract than some other eye [?] for there are so easily & [?] removed. Take good care of your general health. Doctor John will look [?] to that I expect. Give him my [?] regards and my best. Thanks for his watchful care of mother. He has been so good to her & I know she loves him like one[?]. Give mother dear old some her boys very best love & a great big kiss from me. Tell her to imagine me a little chap again (I can remember when I sat on her [?] ) with my arms around her neck full of love & kisses for her. How long ago it seems & yet how short. Time creeps as in a [?] [?] be 44. It seems much less than 30 years since I went to work for Bob Jennings for $1.25 a week and [?] myself.

[?] joins me in love and every earnest wish for a speedy recovery for mother.

Your loving brother Will

Tell mother that my text tonight was Rev 1:17-18 "Fear not [?]" It is a message for her. I know she will not be afraid when the time comes to go down into the Valley

W.B.