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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 09/01/1913

    20 Holford Square

    Percy Circus

    London, England

    c. September 1913

    My Dear Son,

    Very pleased to hear you were having such a good time. Hope you will stay a month. Glad they did not let you work. Tell all about how you liked Dr. B.'s wife.

    The company Pa speaks of are people we knew in Barrow 30 years ago before we left for America. They were poor then but in the meantime have accumulated a little fortune and are now living retired. Some one told us they had about £10 per week. They were very kind when we were in Barrow last year, had us for tea a few times so Mrs. Cranston's (that is their name) daughter came to London for a couple of weeks and I had them for tea a couple of times in our room. We did not have much room, but we all enjoyed the novelty of eating and sleeping in one room.

    They recommended us to the last place we were in, Mrs. Evens, so they have a room there, but they are pretty well tired of it. They are finding fault with dishes and everything not very clean. The girl can't eat at all in it. I quite understand it. I was much the same. She did enjoy her tea here. She says they have 8 cats at Evens now. They detest them. The girl thought the bed clothes didn't smell quite right and she went out and bought 25 cents worth of perfume and scented her night gown. We had a good laugh over it. I thought that was a good deal like I did in Southport. I put some orange peel under the pillow. Pa says what are you doing? I said putting some orange peel under my head. He says that's the limit.

    This little girl is all right, not very pretty and I think not good enough for you.… These people own about 26 houses. They have had 9 children. All married well but this girl and one boy. We all walked out to Regent Park, then they came home with us for tea and I had a nice one.…

    How is it you never correct Pa's spelling. If I happen to make the least error I soon hear about it but Pa goes on spelling or doing any old way it is all right. You get after him about his spelling. Maybe he will do better. He keeps asking me how to spell first one thing then another. Then he goes right back on me and tells you about a little word I spell wrong. What do you think about it. Is that fair?…

    Hoping you are in the best of health and happiness and gained a good many pounds, also gained on your stock.…

    Your loving Mother

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