C/o Dr Ussher
10 Geraldine Rd
East Hill
Wandsworth
19 July 1891
My dear Chris
I have been meaning to write to you for some time but have put it off and off each time. I am at present living in England as you will see by the above address.
I left Mrs Dalton for a few months just before Papa arrived home. Her niece was very ill last winter and the doctor said she must have a change. So Mrs D. made up her mind to ask her to try the French air. So she told me I could go home to my friends for a nice long visit expecting no doubt they would be very glad to have me. I should not care about staying at home and at Poplar the whole time it would not be fair. So I advertised for another engagement and got this one. The salary is not large £15 and laundry, but it does not matter as it’s only for a short time. The people are very kind to me.
I had a letter from Mrs Dalton a few days ago. She will expect me back in October. Her niece is getting nice and strong again. Poor girl.
The family consists of Dr Ussher and his wife, three sons – one is married, three daughters – one is out in the same position as myself in some family. The two sons living at home are 19 and 13 years of age, and the two girls 26 & 17, all plain in features and figures. Then there is a sister-in-law of the Doctor living in the house and also another lady, a Miss Dalyer – she is old and childish, nothing wrong with her head but wants looking after, and has to live in a doctor’s house.
I am companion to her. I have to go out with her and sit with her and do the needlework. Fridays I have for my own time. I am not hard worked at all you see. The old lady has taken a fancy to me so I hear. I can manage her very well indeed. She and I went to lunch last Monday at her married brother’s in Kensington, and afterwards we went to the German Exhibition.
Last Sunday being my birthday, I went home for part of the day. Archie had arrived home the day before and looked very well. He has just had the offer of going as 2nd in the Gulf of Mexico and will have to sail at once. I believe a very good thing for him, but we are all sorry as we will not see much of him.
We are having a lovely summer this year and Wandsworth is very pretty. We are only ten minutes walk from Wandsworth Common. Wimbledon is very near here as well. The day of the review we saw nearly all the soldiers pass. It was a pretty sight. Uncle Robert went of course.
May is home for a month, she came just a week ago. At present she is staying with some friends at Oakham, goes back to Anerley next week sometime, I fancy until she goes back to Germany.
Papa has not been at all well since he came home, arrived with a very bad cold. Had an attack of the influenza, which has left him rather weak. I hope he will soon be strong and well again. All the rest of the family are well at present. They are busy just now, packing. They are turning out of the house at Anerley for good end of this month. They are going to live at Lancing – don’t know how they will like it always. It’s very nice but rather quite for Papa.
I should fancy aunt Annie is very bad again, with the cancer. She is covered with them, worse than before, and nothing can be done. She suffers fearfully sometimes, and has to be very carefully what she eats. Sometimes she is sick night and day. I should say she will not live long, poor woman. They are in a dreadful way at Poplar.
How are you getting on old fellow? I hope taking care of yourself and not working too hard. I have not had to take advantage of your generous offer as yet Chris. With regard to the money, you are a good boy and I ought and am very thankful I have such good old brothers. How’s Monsie? Give him my love and tell him I have not forgotten him and he shall have a letter from me very soon.
I have no more news to tell you Chris so good bye for the present old fellow,
Write to me as soon as possible, dear, to the above address, until I tell you not to do so. I shall be going back to France sometime in October as I told you before, but I will be writing again very soon.
Best love to Alex and yourself,
From your affectionate Sister
Edith Elmslie
Excuse writing I am not in the mood for it today but must not keep you any longer with a letter.