December 17, 1918

My dear George
Just received your dear letter dated November 25th. It is very very good of you to send me such a generous Christmas present. Please accept my best thanks. I had already bought a present for Edie & Nora from you, as I knew you would wish me to do so. Will tell you what I bought - for Edie as she wears Black boots, a pro of black stockings & for Nora a pro of tan stockings. You might think it a funny present but as they are $1.75 a pro they appreciate the gift & think I should buy something cheaper. That is what they said last year. I'm so glad to think you remember them. They were both very pleased with their birthday letters. Alex sent Edie a cablegram but no letter since he returned to France. I expect we shall soon be getting cards from Germany as we see by the papers the 1st & 2nd Cavalry Brigade are there. I daresay Alex told you about his cousin Hugh Young being a war prisoner. Well he is on his way home on the Melita which reaches St. Johns about the 20th, so Mr. & Mrs. Young & Miss Barton are going to Montreal to meet him. I was over at 133 last evening to know if they had heard anything of Dan but no. In the list of names of those on the Olympic are 3 or 4 Adams but not D. So we are disappointed Eva hasn't heard from Louie for quite a long time. So they are wondering if Leslie & Leonard are all right. It's funny she didn't answer Eva's cable. I had a nice little surprise yesterday morning when the postman brought the government cheque (a week earlier this month) & I opened it there was 20 dollars extra from Sept 1st. They had increased the Separation Allowance five dollars a month which with this month makes the 20 extra. I saw something about it in the papers sometime back but didn't think anymore about it. I think I'm in Luck's way as there is sure to be a third surprise. Don't laugh but you know my old saying, never two but three. I'll tell you if it comes true. I had a letter from Liegegie. She had been visiting in London but is now back in Norwich. Her husband is with the North Russian Exp. Force & says there are lots of Canadians there. She is wondering if the Armistice will affect him as to going home. He says the cold is terrible. Mr. Hutchins doesn't expect Fred home for years as he says the country is in an awful state. Am thankful to say we all escaped the flu. It certainly was very serious everywhere. I think Winnie is still in Gravenhurst. I really cannot believe a week today is Xmas Eve. Don't I wish you were here to hang up your sock. We are going to Weston as usual. I expect Nora has written & told you all about it. We have had lovely weather the last three days. So bright & nice, not very cold. If it stays like this for week or so we shall be truly thankful. The enclosed piece of Sandbag doesn't look as if it were made of paper. I thought it was a piece of canvas you had picked up. Have often read of the clothing they make of paper. You have a nice little collection of souvenirs. I can just imagine you looking them over & shewing them to people when you come home. Here's hoping you get all your Christmas boxes in time. Sorry I couldn't ice the Christmas Cake but nobody was allowed to sell icing sugar. Then just the other day the ban was lifted & it seems quite strange to see iced cakes in the confectioners windows.

Trusting Father Christmas will be good to you all & that you have a Jolly time.

Again thanking you for your beautiful letter & present.

With fondest love & kisses
Your loving mother
Emily Watson