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Myra . 27 March 1885
Elsternwick
27 March 1885
Dear Mr Elmslie
I am really very sorry I shall not be able to come and keep house for you but as Captain Elmslie was so kind in getting such a good situation for me I think it would seem ungrateful of me to leave so soon. The people are kind to me and I am getting good wages.
And another thing – Mrs Tucker is just laid up through her confinement and I am afraid if I was to leave her just now it would put her to a great deal of inconvenience.
Please don’t think I am not willing to oblige you because there is nothing that I should like better than being amongst Captain Elmslie’s family again, but I have given you my reasons of not coming but will hope to be able to oblige you some day.
I must thank you all the same for your kindness in asking me to come.
Have you heard from Bedford lately? I wrote to Mrs Elmslie some time ago as Captain Elmslie wished me to do so, and I hope to get an answer soon.
I expect we will soon hear of the arrival of the Sobraon in St Helena and hope she will make a safe and quick passage home.
If it is not troubling you too much you might just drop a line to say whether you have received my telegram and letter all right.
Thanking you once more for your kindness.
Believe me,
Yours very truly,
M E Fowler
PS
Please excuse all mistakes writing etc etc.