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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 09/12/1913

    20 Holford Square

    Percy Circus

    London, England

    September 12, 1913

    My Dear Son,

    …I think from the tone of your letter you are in need of a rest. If you think you would enjoy a month at Dr. Bloodgoods place I would go. You can't keep up another year without a change and rest and by all means go where you think you would enjoy it most. You are too young to have all work and no play. It is best to make your work a pleasure. Work is all right in its place but too much is a strain and liable to injure in time. I think head work is more tiresome than manual labor.

    Now I want you to tell us what you think about us coming back. We both prefer staying here till next year if everything is alright with you. We have it very easy and comfortable here. Nice place, we pay 6.6 per week for a room. She cleans it out good once a week. All our expenses doesn't run to more than £1 per week and not often that much.… No expenses of linen or furniture or dishes. Everything is provided. Now if we went back to the states rent would be high. I would prefer to furnish a flat as I think furnished apartments would be high and you would not be home very often and probably next year you would have a better idea whether you would stay on or not.

    Our only anxiety is about you for fear you are not getting enough to eat. I know from experience how much better I feel since I have been getting plenty to eat and a variety of good things. Pa goes to the market every day for nice fruits etc. and they are fine. We both enjoy good eating and we feel much better for it. We only wish our boy could share theese good things with us.

    So please answer this letter and tell us what you think about us staying here for another year. Don't forget when writing to say what you would have us do. We want to live in America but when we go we want to settle down permanently if possible. Of course we would like to see you and be with you but a few months will soon be gone and maybe things will be much clearer for you what to do.

    Pa says I am like an old sitting hen. When I get to a place I want to stay.

    Well we went to Regent Park yesterday. The day was fine. It was like being in the country. We watched the boys playing cricket. It reminded me of you playing ball. I like the grass and trees better than the flowers. Acres of beautiful green grass. Can go anywhere over it. I wished you could have been there, but it is no nicer than Patterson Park.…

    Your loving Mother

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