Transcription
Dear Rhea,
I shudder when I think how low I have fallen in your estimation - so low I can hardly reach up to the bottom. And I am going to try awfully hard and long to get back, and hope I will succeed. I would be awfully afraid of failing if I didn't know that your nature is as forgiving as your smile is charming. So just this once you will forgive me, won't you, and ease my anxiety on that sense by letting me know you do in a letter by return mail? I'll be very, very good after this. (here the writers made a motion like crossing his heart) but when you know that not even the boys in the trenches have got a letter from me for a couple of months, you will know that nobody is being preferred to yourself. I should say not!
Well honey I never got those pictures printed yet. I developed them but when I went to print them I found I was out of fixing powder so couldn't. And practicing my usual forgetfulness I let the weeks slip by and finally when I got everything complete I have hardly had a night to myself to do the printing. but I am going to do it tomorrow night without fail. It was sore touch to me when on developing the pictures I saw that I'm trying to set too much in the camera, Carrie had only got one of your arms in and no head or body and none of me, in that tender picture where I stood with my arm around you gazing adoringly into your lovely eyes. wasn't it sad?
But the other pictures you will receive without fail this week.
how is everything in St. Catharines. Do they do any recruiting there? Battalions here are as thick as mosquitoes in Muskoka which you will agree is rather thickish. I have joined an overseas training company being organized by the University and expect to receive word to report any day. In due course, (about the end of May) I hope to be a lieutenant (and perhaps later a general, but I am not a pig.)
How is my hated rival? I suppose he has absolutely cut me out. Its a cruel world! But what can a fellow expect when he "goes to sleep all winter like a bear." I'm never going to sleep again.
well there is no news to tell you, cousin of mine, but you no doubt have lots to tell me, and you will have pity on my mental state wondering if I am out of your affections forever, and write at once won't you?
yours as ever, HarryTranscriber
Victoria Stewart, Emily FultonLanguage
English
