Dearie Heart:

I can't think what is the matter that I don't hear from you. I hope you are not sick. You know how I love to get your letters even if they are very short ones and I can't understand why none of us are hearing from you. Mr Ross has written and also Mr Skinner and have heard no reply.

Mr and Mrs Monks spent yesterday evening here. He is on his way to join the 72nd but he hears this morning that it is full up so he has gone back home with some thought I believe of joining the Western Scots. He longs for a commission and wondered if you could do anything for him. He is particularly keen on scouting work and says he would like to get into a scouting company as there is one in each regiment. He is very disappointed about the 72nd. Is it really filled up?

Mrs Ross has been very sick indeed but is improving slowly. Yesterday when I went to see her she was so exhausted she could hardly speak to me but in the evening when Mr Ross went up she seemed better. It is a pretty hard time for them both. I can't know what would happen without Wing here - he seems to be the backbone for us all.

Mr Gurney has been up from Victoria and I had tea with him yesterday at the Oasis. He still seems pretty used up with his lumbago and he finds customers pretty unsatisfactory these days so between the two he is rather reduced to a state of nerves. His tea seemed to do him a lot of good though.

I suppose you have heard that the Grand Jury found 'No Bill' in the cases of Tonkin and Graham. It was quite a surprise and the Herald and Free Press are busy scrapping over it.

I hope there will be a letter to-night. Don't be too busy to write. Love and kisses from your loving

Alice