| Transcript | Svdenham
- 18 Nov. /78
My dear Pater
We this evening had the delight of receiving your dear letter of Oct. 7th little Harian at once said oh I know whose letter this is it is from my Grandpa, what does he say now Mamy read me it all. Why I am not a chick does not my grandpa know I've not got a sharp beak and feathers! Shall not I often laugh to myself when I think how funny my Grandpa is! When dear little George Herbert came from his evening bath, Tell my Grandpa me is only a little boy not a chick! If me was then me would not let my Grandma get hurt.. That was when he heard about the accident. I am truly thankful my Pater and Mutter were not in the carriage at the time. Marian says tell my Grandpa I've not forgotten one of his tales, neither has George Bertie, this afternoon he was telling Marian he should be the fly and sit on her nose when she is packed, he tells everyone my Grandpa is going to give me a carriage etc. and I am going to Court to see the Queen" They will have so much to talk of tomorrow. Your kind letters are such a delight to them little Marian sends her dear Grandpa and Grandma "twelve beauty kisses each". George Bertie is going to write my Grandpa next week when I am a big boy some big kisses size of his two arms extended.
Oh dear Pater I was so deceived in every way with the Lady's help. I think I told you I felt timid being alone now the country is so unsettled & many houses have been broken into by Kafirs. The help had been with me but a fortnight when a suspicious Kafir came one day. Some nights after, some one was round the house all the evening trying the doors windows & even trying the iron roofing that night & the three following ones. We were up till morning, once I fired at him from the window he had with him a bright long cane knife. I dare not go out. The fifth night some neighbour's boys came. We were very tired & did not sit up. The boys watched the fellow file a key for hours fit it to the door and they did not like to fire at him. I fancy they were frightened too. Two nights he opened the door with his key but the iron bolt our Miner (?) here had kindly put on for me saved us - I went to the Magistrate in Durban, I found the boys father's had also. For more than a week we had three Kafir police watching in the sitting room Then if I did not stay there too they all went to sleep & plainly let the fellow know that he was not to come, and just fancy dear Pater these nasty dirty black creatures each occupying two little slight made cane chairs creaking with their heavy weight, & their appetites were dreadful, and so I go so nervous & ill I told them not to come again. Since then the white constable comes up at odd times, and has cleared off all Kafirs not able to give a good account of themselves. The help I sent away at the end of the month. The Magistrate sent me word she had lived in his family for a short time etc. and glad I was when she went. We have now a little girl from the village. She does help me a little & better still is kind to the little ones - Marian is very fretful, she still goes for one hour each afternoon to old Mrs. Baker, it makes a change for her. She said I was to be sure & tell her Grandpapa she had a birthday party of some little children on her birthday & each brought her a little present. Mrs. Sanderson sent her a nice doll. She was when I measured her three feet 9 & little George Bertie three feet 11/2 inches.
I do wish indeed they had(a page missing)
of the worms I have tried all the known remedys - but after a time I shall begin again. Baby keeps very well, were it not for these worms. Thank you dear Pater for telling me they are not dangerous. Why I have been told they would eat through little one's chests: Most of the people here feel at times uneasy. There are so many rumours always going about. The one thing we fear the most is should our own Kafirs rise. Still I think it is not worth me writing about what dear Pater will know of more from his English papers what is done here than we even do. I do wish it was all over & quiet again.
Our poor garden is looking so bad from the long drought. We have not yet planted any salads or vegetables. We have sweet potatoes growing from last season. The sweet peas and mignonette are growing in the house very nicely but not in flower yet you kindly sent us. We dare not risk planting them out in the garden the high winds have been so trying all this Spring. One day this week I want to try and take the little ones on the beach, I have been frightened to take them even through Durban the fever there has been so bad. There has been such mortality among little children.
We have more than two miles to walk before we get to the first bus. The little ones would have so many more messages to send in the morning, still I think I had better send this off the first thing in the morning. I know I ought to have written before indeed each day I told myself I would, & so let it go by - & yet it is not for want of love for my Pater we know only too well in this large world we have only our good loving Pater and Mutter that cares for us. Good night and God bless you, Dear Pater and Mutter is always our Prayers each night.
Your affectionate daughter
Eliza Lewes
Please forgive errors. |