Bobbing

Monday

My dearest old Man,

I waited till tonight to see if there were a letter from you and as that ‘longed-for missive’ has not made its appearance, I concluded I might as well send off my weekly news.

First, thanks for papers which of course arrived all safely – I have applied for those two London ones – though I don’t know whether they are at all suitable as far as locality goes – but somehow I feel as though I were going to have a run of ill luck – nothing from Stratford, - how I wish I’d been on the spot! I am sorry to tell you that ive been rather poorly for a few days, so faint & trembling – indeed, I was so very queer last Thursday night that I got quite frightened & sent for Mrs Robins – she was exceedingly kind & the old man went all the way to Key Street for some Brandy for me. I am a good deal better now I am glad to say.

Last Monday I went to the Vicars to tea – they were so nice & kind – I am giving lessons on the evening to one of the elder sons, a boy about 14 or 15.

Mrs Knight has been to see me twice & brought me some most delicious strawberries & Mr Knight came & fetched me down to the Court last Tuesday & I brought away some fine hothouse grapes & roses. Still I’m rather afraid to be quite myself in case Mrs K shouldn’t like it – for Mr K is so very gallant & he looks straight down into ones eyes in such an admiring sought sort of way  that I wear the ‘Schoolmistress’ more than I otherwise would.

I am quite surfeited of strawberries, every day some are sent by the parents & Artie does not like them, wont eat one. He does grow so, & I am afraid he does not eat sufficient to supply the continual waste, for he is always on the go. I am glad to tell you, he is quite a good boy, he is leading the girl a better life, but it is because she behaves better to him. They don’t understand him, you know & want to treat him like a baby, & he wont put up with it. he really is a dear little boy - & he frequently talks about ‘poor father’ but is quite decided about not wanting to come back to ‘44’. Tell father this is not a dirty old stove – this is my order.

On Saturday the Bishop of Dover visited & opened the new burial ground. There was such a nice service & his address was extremely good.

The weather has been so warm & I often wonder how you are bearing up against the heat for I know it knocks you up. If I got paid, I should like to come home on Friday – that is if you like. When are you coming down – the Cherries weill be in full swing the 1^st 7 2^nd week in July, & surely a few days will be of benefit to your health. Of course unless I get paid, coming will be out of the question, on Friday.

Perhaps dear, you will kindly drop me a line early in the week.

With much love from Artie & myself.

Believe me

Your loving

G.G.

**********************************************************************************
NEW WORD FOR YOUR DICTIONARY..!

1.   surfeitedpast participle, past tense of sur·feit

Verb:

Cause (someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess.