Letters to America

Wednesday, November 26th, 1941

My darling Joan,

Uncle John is home on leave and he and Auntie Olive are coming here tomorrow and staying until Friday afternoon, so we are all very excited. I have made two little Christmas puddings – not as good as they should be, because we couldn’t get the almond or oranges or eggs(1), but I hope they will not be too bad. I think I will have one tomorrow in Uncle John’s honour, since he will be away from home this Christmas.

Last Monday Nanny and I took John and Anne to the Harrow Coliseum where there was a small circus. It was the very first time they had been in a theatre and I thought they were going to be fidgety, but they were both so thrilled they sat very still and John didn’t speak. He was too busy watching it all. There were dancing horses and two small bears who drank bottles of milk, and a very clever pony who answered “yes” or “no” to questions by nodding his head, and gave the answer to a lot of little sums (like 2 and 4) by tapping his foot 6 times. There were very clever acrobats, and of course clowns. Oh, there were also some dear little dogs who were dressed as ballet dancers and danced on their hind legs. It wasn’t really much of a circus, but John and Anne just loved it all and we all enjoyed it very much. Dora and her mummy went this afternoon.

Well darling, I wonder what you have been doing this week? I suppose all the bicycles have been put away for the Winter and you now enjoy a game of football with Teddy and Sandy to keep yourselves warm. I hope you are doing well at school and trying hard. Now the Winter is here and you will be spending more time indoors, I wonder if you will play one or two of your old pieces on the piano? Just to please me, Joan. You used to play them very nicely and it would be a pity if you forgot them altogether. It is very late and Daddy has gone to bed. I listened to a play and couldn’t get on with my letter.

My love to Auntie Mary, Teddy and Sandy.

Best love and kisses to you, sweetheart, from us all.

Mummy
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  1. Most food, clothing and fuel was rationed and even things which were not rationed were often very difficult to find in the shops. Every man, woman and child was given a ration book with coupons. These were required before rationed goods could be purchased.