Friday, January 21st, 1944

My darling Joan,

This is Harrow’s Education Week and most of the schools have had an “Open Day”, when parents can go and see their children in school and inspect the work and have a chat to the teachers. Daddy and I went after lunch on Wednesday. Miss Hamlin (John and Anne’s teacher) said they were both getting on very nicely and we had nothing to worry about. We were very interested to see her, as we had heard disagreeable reports of her, but both Daddy and I like her. She is rather elderly and has grey hair and she is far stricter than the other teachers John and Anne have had, but as they are getting older now I don’t think that’s a bad thing and I think she is very kind underneath. She explained how she graded them and then said John and Anne would show us their books and drawings on the wall. You can guess how important the twins felt walking around the class and pointing at their own drawings and the little paper baskets they had made.

The next day after school hours John and Anne’s class gave their little circus play (the one they did at Xmas). I went along to see it and it was really quite good. I was quite surprised to see how nicely Anne danced, and John was one of the horses – they did different steps to music. Talking about music, I happened to play a little the other afternoon and Anne and John stood watching – it’s quite a novelty to them because I never play – and they both asked me to show them how. If Mrs Thomas came out to give lessons, I would give them a start, but I don’t know anybody who does – most women have to do whole or part-time work. Anyhow, I thought I’d have a try and gave them a lesson. They are very keen and I think they will pick it up quickly, but I am not a very good teacher.

Tonight Daddy has gone to a party at Kodak⁽¹⁾ and I could have gone with him, but I knew of no one who could stay with the twins. As it happens, I’m glad I couldn’t go, because we have just had an air-raid. I didn’t hear any bombs dropped, but there was plenty of gunfire and it lasted much longer than we have had them lately. I should have been very worried if I hadn’t been with the children.

Mrs Gleadhall’s baby, Roger, is getting on nicely and can sit up by himself now. Dora has heard the result of her music exam, and she has just passed. Her nerves failed her at the last minute, but I’m glad she passed or she would have forfeited her entrance fee, and she would have been so upset. She entered another exam last Wednesday for a Domestic and Nursing course at a Technical School, but it will be some time before she knows the result of that. I think she wants to be a nurse.

Well, Joan dear, it seems such a long time since we had a letter – it’s nearly 6 weeks. I’m always thinking about you, wondering what you are doing or playing or eating and if you are well. I expect you play sledging now or making snowmen. Once a fortnight in our children’s hour on the radio a lady speaks from New York and it’s quite interesting. One week she explained all about the schools and last time it was about ice-skating and she said the ice was 9” deep in the Park she was talking about. It sounds so terribly cold. Last Sat. and Sunday we had thick fog – it was terrible for those who had to go out. I think fog is worse than anything. Today has been glorious with plenty of sunshine, although cold.

Well, darling, it’s very late and I expect Daddy will be home any time now, so I’d better get some supper. Give my love to Auntie Mary and everybody. Hope she is not too overworked and that you are all keeping well.

With lots of love from your
Mummy
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