Monday, September 6th, 1943

My darling Joan,

We received another letter last Friday that you had written at the farm. I’m glad you found a nice little friend down there and had nice games with her. It’s strange her name should be Joan too, wasn’t it? You didn’t describe her, but I suppose she was about your age. Anyway, it was nice of her mother to ask you to lunch. You seem to be having lots of ice-cream and cooling drinks, and you quite made my mouth water. I would like to know how you make iced-tea, but we seldom have it hot enough here to warrant making it.

We have had Grandma staying with us for the past week and Daddy has taken her home this afternoon. I think she has enjoyed her stay and she said she feels better, although it was such a short time. The twins, Grandma and I went to Kodak⁽¹⁾ Hall to see a dancing display on Saturday. Little Patsy Gaze was in it and she had one or two acts by herself and she was very good, especially as she is only 6 years old, and she had the stage to herself in an act called “Hush-a-bye” in which she was supposed to be putting a baby to bed. She looked very sweet in her long nightgown and little fair curls and she was well clapped. It was a very late night for John and Anne as they didn’t get into bed until 10 o’clock, but they were able to sleep the next morning and they did enjoy it.

Now Joan dear, Daddy and I are feeling quite cross with you this weekend. It appears you were asked to pick blueberries – even paid to do it – but after a short while you said you didn’t think you ought to work and it was sufficient if you just made your own and the boys’ beds. Now Joan, that is not the right spirit at all, and it is not enough just to be obedient. Nana Anne has been so kind to you and she is so busy that I’m sure she would have appreciated it if you had done some little jobs without her asking you. She told me she liked having you and you were a sweet little girl – that’s what we like to hear, dear, but if you think of nothing but the good fun you can have and the nice things you can eat, you will grow up selfish and nobody will like you at all. You are 11 years old now and I want you to realise how very fortunate you are to be living with Auntie Mary and Uncle Carl, who love you so much. If it wasn’t for the kindness of such people, you would still be here with us and there would be no ice-cream or chocolate pops – just plain living. We feel so grateful – I want you to be grateful too. Of course, darling, we are all just longing for the end of this terrible war so that you can come back to us, but I know it’s going to hurt Auntie Mary to part with you, so be very nice to her, dear.

Grandma and everybody sends their love to you. We are all well and hope you are too.

With love and kisses from
your Mummy
xxxxxxx