March 1916
36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex
My Dear Horrie
I was pleased to receive your letter by first post on the 12th and was
never more surprised in my life when I read it and saw what it contained and
very pleased too. I really can not thank you enough for your kindness and also
for your kindness of heart that made you think of doing it. It wouldn't matter
how much some folks made, they wouldn't think of helping their sisters. Mother
is so pleased that you are in a position to do it.
We are very sorry you have had the shingles in your arm. We hope they are
better by now. Aunt Alice had them round her waist last spring. She had the
Doctor and he said it was caused by cold and a nervous breakdown so Mother
think it must be the cause of your having them too. She says she think you have
been worried about enlisting. You feel you ought to fight for your country and
yet you feel you can not leave Ern all alone as he couldn't manage to do the
land all himself. And you are doing your duty by farming the land and growing
corn which is so much needed. It is very well for young men who have no work to
go but you have yours cut out. I don't see how we can grow much corn in England
as so many men have enrolled under the group system and now the bill on
compulsion is passed in the house it will take more men. Women are doing
wonderful things now but I don't think they are physically trained for manuring
, ploughing and seeding the fields. Milking, weeding, haymaking, stone picking
fruit gathering they can do. We have women clerks, postwomen, chauffeurs, tram
conductors, omnibus conductors, ticket collectors and porters. It makes me feel
proud of being a woman.
Now I have some news to tell you. Poor old Granny passed away on Saturday
the 8th at 4 in the morning. She was taken ill on New Years night. She appeared
as well as usual all day and had her meals the same and her supper of bread and
cheese and half cup of beer but about 10 when we went to bed she asked me to
get her some vinegar as her head ached so bad. So I bathed her head with
vinegar. She felt cold and shaky too so I gave her some whiskey in hot water.
You can guess we didn't sleep very much that night so next morning, Sunday, I
went for Dr. Chichester. When he came he said a small blood vessel had broken
in her head. He said to make her as comfortable as possible and he wouldn't
send any medicine as it wouldn't do any good. She laid unconscious more or less
all day. Uncle went up to see her but she took no notice of him. Uncle went to
see her again in the evening and she knew him then. She asked where Walter was
at work as she always asked about them all when he came to see her. But she
soon went off again. Wednesday night she was not so well and was worse on
Thursday. Friday she fetched her breath very hard all day. I managed to give
her three small lots of weak brandy and water in the morning. Mother and I
stayed up all Friday night and Granny passed away at 4 am Saturday morning.
Emily Nevard and her mother, Sarah.
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