Tuesday, September 30th, 1941

My darling Joan,

Thank you for your letter, sweetheart, and for remembering to send some school papers. They are quite interesting and we will look forward to having some more when you get on to harder work. I hope you like your new teacher in Grade 4 and that you will enjoy this term at school.

Wasn’t it lovely of Nana Anne to buy you a taffeta dress for your party at the big hotel? I wish I could see you in it. Fancy staying the night too – quite like grown-ups. Auntie Mary told me how nicely you and Sandy dance the rumba and foxtrot. You must try and teach me and Daddy when you come home. Can you really swim too? Try and remember to tell me when you answer this letter, dear – you know, you never do answer my little questions. I forgot to say before, that I think your writing in this last letter was very good.

What a lovely surprise Auntie Mary and Uncle Carl had for you children when you got back from the farm. A real live puppy! I can just guess the excitement you all had. You always loved surprises, didn’t you? Do you remember all those brown paper parcels you used to make and leave on our beds? John and Anne like making parcels too.

We went for a ride with Dora and her mummy and daddy to a nice little wood, and in a very short time we had picked 2 lbs of blackberries and Mr and Mrs Gleadhall got 3 lbs. Tonight I am making some blackberry and apple jelly. Dora has passed her music test for the Trinity College of Music and will now have 3 years free lessons there. She is very pleased because she likes the trip to London every Saturday. She must be getting on very well. I’m sorry, dear, that you don’t care very much about your piano lessons, but perhaps you will take it up again when you are a little older.

I must close now as Daddy is waiting for his supper. Try and be a good girl and help Auntie Mary all you can.

With lots of love and kisses from John and Anne, and best love from your Mummy.
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