P.S. - I don't know whether I said this before, but I use both sides on account of the thickness of the paper.

Toronto, Jan. 21, 1915 [1916].

Dear Catherine:

I've just finished reading a letter from Mickle and in it he states that you and Craigie are intending to accompany "Happy" Cummings and her father to a dance this evening. He didn't say what kind of a gathering it is to be or where it is to take place, but I'm inclined to believe he's a fibber. Of course I may be wrong (quite possible, considering the affection you have for the little child). At any rate I hope you have an enjoyable time. I received you letter O.K. and you may rest assured I wasn't tired when I got to the end of it. I do feel so lonesome here at times. You see there are only one or two people I know and I'm not sufficiently acquainted with the city to make a good time for myself. As for Lawrence - he's a decent fellow all right, but he's a little to quiet to be real company. So you may be sure a letter from the old town is not unwelcome � and they can't be too long. The only difficulty I find is in answering the letters I do get. They keep us pretty busy at the armouries from 8.48 till 4.30. In order to be in our places at the required time (and there's trouble if a fellow is late) we have to get up at 6.45 every morning, polish all our buttons (that takes half an hour), get our breakfast and beat it. It takes us 25 min. to walk to the armouries and we don't often get there too early. From 9 till 10 we are put through physical drill and from 10 till 12 we have military drill. Then we get an hour and a half off for dinner and after that some more military drill till 4.30. They keep us moving lively all the time and believe me we don't feel like running a marathon when we're dismissed. But I suppose we won't mind it after we've been at it for a while.

Last Sunday morning the whole battalion paraded to St. James Cathedral for divine service. The 92nd Highlanders were there also. St. James is one of the largest Anglican churches in the city but the two battalions (about 1200 in all) pretty well filled it. There were no civilians at the service - except the minister. It was certainly a sight worth seeing.

So the rink is open at last. Poor Joseph! I'm afraid he won't make a fortune this winter but here's hoping the skating lasts till the middle of next month. I asked the sergeant the other day if I'd be able to get home once a month and he said he didn't see why I couldn't get a few days off every month, although I've got to get permission from the major. I think probably I'll be home for a couple of days in about three weeks from now.

I was out with my cousin (Douglas Ainslie) to a social evening in the College St. Pres. church last night and had a nice time although I didn't know any of the people who were there. They had guessing contests, solos, recitations, &c.

Regarding the weather I might say it is just about the same as you have in the old burg. It snowed yesterday and is raining today and upon my soul I never saw such sloppy streets in my life. They are worse than Victoria Ave. and that's saying quite a bit.

Well so long till next time. Perhaps I may have something interesting to tell you when I write again. Give my regards to all the folks.

� Leslie.