Recd. 28-4-92
Ansd. 23-5-92
Poplar
22 February 1892
My dear Chris
I was very glad to get your letter, old fellow. Please thank Alex for his and say I will answer it very soon – it’s your turn first.
I am very glad you are both getting on so well. Tell Alex his home seems smaller from accounts than the water tank. If he thinks of going in for a wife I should say he will have ???? ????. When he has time I hope he will send photos home of himself, your home and his &c. But tell him I want separate ones from the home lot. ???? ???? not live at home and want some for myself. I left home last week, as they are asked ???? ???? I am leaving here today week Monday the 29 February.
I am not going back to Mrs Dalton at least for some time, if at all, for the reason my eyes have not got any better. I am sorry to say I have had to go back to Dr. Crichett to have them looked at again. I went last Saturday. He cut another spot out of the lid. It hurt worse than the first one did and bled fearfully. One thing I am glad of though is he says in other ways, my eyes are no worse. If anymore spots come I have to go again, but need not unless for two or three years. Of course, if they got bad in other ways I should have to go. I sincerely hope they will not.
I have to be very careful not to do to much with my eyes, and for not too long at a time, and have to take care of my health, as that has a great deal to do with them being bad. He told me on Saturday it was nothing else but the after effects of the influenza I had, and also perhaps the French living and climate did not agree with me quite and I am quite right not to go back to France for sometime at least. I told him I had thoughts of going back but put it off, as I thought for the present England would suit me better.
I have written to tell Mrs Dalton, but have had no answer as yet. She will be very disappointed I am afraid, as she was so anxious for me to go back to her, but I think she will understand. I shall keep up with her, and hope she will come to England soon for a visit.
I have found something else to do and hope I shall like the post. I mean to keep it if I can. It is in the London Fever Hospital at Islington. I shall be like Under Matron, have to look after the linen and store-room, that’s all. I have a bedroom and sitting of my own. At 7 o clock in the morning I have to call the night-nurses, (in my dressing gown if I like). A servant brings me a cup of tea &c. At 7 I go back to my room, at 8 we all have breakfast, the matron takes
half of the nurses &c. to meals, I take the other half.
After breakfast I go to the store-rooms and give out the things for the day. The matron first of all gives me a list of what is to be given out. I have to weigh everything, then as the trades people bring the things in I have to see they are right.
At 11 o’clock I shall have a glass of milk and something to eat. After that there is the linen to attend to giving out, and keeping it mended. 1 o’clock we all have dinner. Afternoon linen to attend to again. Tea at 5 or half past. At 7 I am free off duty, can go to bed if I like.
It all sounds very nice to me, and I think I shall like it much better than being in a private family as one is always tied down, never free, except when you go out for a holiday, which is not often.
Salary begins at ₤27-10 a year, and ???? I was getting ₤26 with Mrs. D. The matron is quite a lady, very nice. She says she expects I shall feel strange at first after being in small houses, but she will help me all she can.
Wednesdays I have so long for going out. Sundays I take it in turns with her – one Sunday out from 10 to 2, next one from 2 to 10. Once a month I can go away from Saturday until Sunday evening and if there are more chances of
???? ???? ???? ????