France

4/6/1917

Dear Alice,

I was very pleased to get your letter of May 9, 1917, about two days ago. I am very sorry to hear that little Doris Bird has been so ill. I hope by this time that she is quite well again. Will you please go across and ask how Doris is for me and give them all my love. Yes Alice, Mother has been very ill. I did not know what the trouble was until just recently. It appears that she has had some kind of a stroke. She has been unable to write me since I came back here and that is three months now. I hope she will get quite well again but she is no longer young. I must confess that I don't like it. It worries me. My sister Julia is much better now, thank goodness. I hope she continues to improve. She is still far from well. No, they do not consider a man much when it comes to a question of leave before returning to the front. I think they could do a little more for us in that direction without any trouble if they wished. As you say, every cloud has a silver lining. That is the only way to look at life these days, but sometimes you know we get the blues. One cannot help it. Do you know I feel very sorry about Claric Booth and L. Finlay. I will tell you why. He almost worshipped the ground she stood on and a short while before I came away, he was in the army at the time, Claric said to me, Bob, I love that girl and I want to do something to be worthy of her. Since then he has done the something, but what a reward. A case like that is really too bad, don't you think Alice? What is the trouble everybody getting married? It must be an epidemic. I hope Houldsworth pulls through ok. His was another hard case in my opinion, but I suppose these people know their own business best. I am glad to hear that �. tried to enlist in the States. Perhaps as he says, they will be glad to take him yet. I know lots of boys here who have false teeth. I do not doubt you when you say it is nice to read good war news in the papers, but the cost takes some of the sweetness away sometimes. You have asked me a question I cannot answer, but someday I will and I have numerous stories to relate at that same someday. Some, no doubt, will be interesting. Who did Reggie Hunt marry? That old flame of his at the church (St. Edwards)? Remember me to A. Kendall and hubby next time you see them and also all of our old friends, there were so many. I am afraid I am beginning to forget some of them but I am a long time absent now. I am glad that you like to hear from me sometimes. I welcome your letters very much. Those walks you speak of and the river bring back floods of old sweet memories. It has been a grand day today as far as the weather is concerned. Now it is a beautiful evening with hardly a breeze, dead calm, broken occasionally by bursts of gunfire. Well my dear old chum, I guess this is all for now. My kindest regards to all at home.

Your old friend

Bob

P.S. We will go on the river some day and talk these things over, but you will have to row. I am too lazy now. You wouldn't believe how tired I am sometimes. Not lazy, it sounds bad.

Bob