Ward G.
Canadian Milit. Hospital,
Kirkdale, Liverpool
Nov. 7., '17

My dear Lulu

Yesterday I had a special treat - two fine letters from you. You don't know how I appreciate your writing, or how I long for more. This dreary waiting is made possible by the post.

But one thing surprises me very much. You say you received no letters written between Oct. 4 and Oct. 18! Eighteen days! You certainly don't get all my letters, & you are very good to continue writing so regularly after such a long wait. I wish I was only back again with you & this uncertain way of communication was over, my dear Lulu. We shall have a lot to say when we do get together, & what a time we shall have together. You say you will be brim full of questions. That is just what I like & I shall never be tired answering them. Be sure to remember all you want to know.

I have no more word about my sailing; a rumor is current that a boat sails early next week but I don't know whether it is true or not, nor even whether I shall be on the first boat that sails. However I am full of hope so don't be surprised if I am at Digby for Xmas, after all.

It was difficult leaving home last Sunday. I told you about my father not being very strong & how I had grown to love my little nephews & nieces. If only this war was over & God would give us peace once more. Perhaps it is delayed because we are not worthy of it. Both ourselves, & our social order need a lot of change I know, but so many of the innocent are paying the price of great wrongs which they have never committed.

I am glad you met Endicott - Arthur Rose; I am very fond of both men. If only Arthur would enlist I would feel much more comfortable though. Somehow it grows upon me that we in the ministry, young men - eligible - must either say the war is altogether wrong or enlist. I am sorry to have this conviction grow upon me, for it must affect my relation to many splendid fellows, but I cannot help but think that it is the only way to convince men that the church is real & is willing to practice what it preaches. That seems more important than even the results of this war, great as it is.

I hope, Ainley is doing well. He certainly is having a varied experience, & he will have much to tell when he returns. But I can understand how anxious you feel about him. What a glorious time he will have on leave though, & he & Carman will have a splendid time together. I hope he doesn't take him back though. There is plenty of time for him to be a hero I am afraid, & somehow one doesn't want ones friends over in France. And yet we are glad that they are ready to go, aren't we Lulu?

Thanks for the snapshots you sent. They make me long to see those greatest falls in the world.

I am sending you a few more cards I managed to get at an art store here in Liverpool. They are for the most part photos of the great masterpieces in oils & water colours & of statuery.

You must have had a splendid time in Toronto & Montreal. The things you mention are just the things I like. As you say, our tastes must be very similar I have always wanted to go to McGill & see how Eastern Universities compare with Western. Indeed it was my ambition to finish my Arts at Wesley, & then go to Toronto to take my theology. But owing to finances & to the reports that O.J. work was rather poor I decided to stay in the West. But I was sorry never to get acquainted with the Eastern provinces for I have always felt that to get into the real life & thought of Canada one must know all its parts. So you must tell me all about it "when I come back."

If this letter is somewhat jerky you must account for it by my having stopped several times to help with a patient who is in a fit. He is just coming round as I write.

Well, Lulu dear, I must say "Good night". The whole eleven hundred of us at this hospital are longing to get back. But let us be patient, all in God's good time.

Give my kindest regards to your mother & father

With best love
Yours

Tom