Mrs Traill
Oakley
Alleyn Rd
West Dulwich
20 September 1885
My dear Chris
I suppose you have thought by this time that I am never going to write to you again, but I have been so busy for a long time, that there has been no time for writing. You will see by the above address that I am not at home. Essilmont is let, Mama and the four smaller children are going to sea, May and Mary have gone to Ramsgate to school, Jessie is in Westmoreland – teaching, Jean – in Germany at a school, Alex is coming out to you and, myself – well I am in Dulwich. That is the whole of the family.
So, you see we are all separated. I suppose you will be very much surprised when you hear that I have gone out. I could not teach so I came out to help in a family – help with the housekeeping – mending and such like. I am doing the very same things here as I would at home. I keep the key of the store-room and make all the puddings, cakes and pastry, and do ever so many little things in the house, mend the socks and stockings – I can tell you there are some nice large holes in them always.
Now I will tell you how many there are in the family. Mrs Traill, Mr Traill is out in India, then comes Harry T the age of 18, next David 16, Johnnie 14, Mary 13, and Katie 10 – she shares my room as there are not enough bed-rooms in the house. They are all very kind to me and try to make me feel quite at home.
They all have dreadful tempers though, but I do not mind that. The boys have had a good fight already, and we have only been in the house nine weeks on Tuesday. They came in the same day as I did, but they are not a bad sort we have very good fun altogether.
Walter could not find anything to do before Papa sailed, so as I had no home to go to I came out – but wait a minute though, I had my choice of going out or living with Aunt Nell and Guss. I said no, so came out. I expect Walter will be nearly sure of finding something to do before next summer, then we shall get married. I don’t mean to give him up and he will not give me up, so I shall stay out until he does find something, which I sincerely hope will be soon. It is not his fault that nothing has turned up – it seems difficult to get anything now. I believe it is getting a little better now though. I hope so. Walter and I have been engaged just over a year. I would not give him up now for anything.
It is tea-time so I must leave off for the present.
Now I must go on again. Dulwich is a very pretty place, there are much nicer walks about here than there are in Bedford. Dulwich College is a splendid place – two of the boys go to it, so we shall come in for some for the concerts or any other entertainments that go on in the term.
Winter will soon be here, I hope we shall have some skating this year. There is a tennis lawn here. I have not had much time and to play as yet, though we had one set one evening. The boys play very well indeed.
Alex seems to like coming out to settle with you. I expect the voyage will do him good – hope so. How are you keeping? Are you still in the same house? You must lead a very jolly life, I should think. I have never thanked you for your photo – I do so now, dear, most heartily. I think it is very good, but you look very thin, old boy. I hope you keep quite strong, that’s all. I was going to make you something and ask Alex to bring it out to you, but I have not had time to do anything – but for all that, I will send you something out before long.
Although, I do not write very often, I do not forget you, you see I have to buy my own stamps and, not having so very much money, I have to be careful – so do not blame me Chris if you do hear from me very often. I should like to see you very much – I wonder when I shall – I suppose in a few years time – if you get on well you will come over to England for a little while.
Bessie has been staying at Bedford for sometime. She has been very useful to Mama. Mama has been very ill lately, so could not do anything towards the packing up, but there was Charlotte and Bessie and I know they would work well. I came away from home before they began the packing up – we did a great deal of needle-work before I came away, though it was very good thing, I am sure.
As I told you before, the Traills did not come to Dulwich until the same day as myself. They had been living at Brighton for two years before then. They had come away from India. Mrs Traill is not at all strong. I have always to take her place when she is not well. I am going to Poplar tomorrow afternoon – Monday, and coming back again on Tuesday morning. I want to see them all before they sail for sea.
The Crystal Palace is close by, we can walk to it in no time. I am going to Cardington to stay with Walter’s mother for a few days at Christmas time .I have three or four places I can go to any day. Poplar, for one they have asked me to go over there any time I can get away. The Porters, who live not far from here, have also asked me to go over anytime. The Kemmedys are going to write and me over there also sometime. So you see I have some places to go to anytime – but for all that, I don’t think I shall be able to go away much. Mrs Traill does not seem to like me going – she is afraid she might get ill and then what would they all do if there was nobody to look after them? These boys tease me fearfully – I don’t mind though. Tonight they put a lot of pepper over the sheets and put some holly in my bed – but stupid boys, they did not make the bed up properly so I thought there was something the matter so looked and took the holly out and put it in one of the boy’s beds – hope it will prick him. Shan’t I laugh tomorrow.
Goodbye now, old boy.
With much love from your loving Sister.
Edie Elmslie
P.S. Do write to me soon Chris to show me you forgive me for not writing before. You will know the reason now.