Syd writes Rosie, imploring her to come stay with his family for Christmas. Rosie is boarding. Her father disappeared from Hong Kong in 1890 when Rose Mary was 18. Her Mother Mary was living in York. The prospect of having Christmas alone must have been daunting. Rose Mary was 23.
South Norwood
[Friday] 6th Dec 1895
My own darling Rosie,
Once again I am writing you but I do not think it unkindly of me keeping you so long. The fact is I have been rather busy this week and have not got home till late. I have your umbrella alright so you need not worry anymore about that. I suppose you heard that Gus and Lena were married on Tuesday. When will our turn be dear, I wonder?
I have been thinking of you so much lately, my darling, and especially at night when I go to bed, that I lay awake for – I was going to say hours – not quite so long as that. How are you getting on at dear old Kelvedon? Although I was there such a short time I remember as distinctly as possible every nook and corner I went to.
I’m afraid I cannot come down to you this Christmas. Dear Mater wants me particularly to be at home. Of course, you know darling, poor Pater was here last year and this is the first year she has spent without him since they were married. So you understand why she is anxious to have me at home. She wants you to spend Christmas with us. Will you dear? I do so want to be with you this holiday and it may be some months before I can again. That is, of course, if you get a berth. Do come dear.
You did mention in one of your letters that Mrs. Isitt would leave it whichever way we liked. I’m sure it is very kind of Mr. and Mrs. Isitt to invite me and I thank them most heartily and feel very sorry I cannot come down but you quite understand the position in which I am placed, do you not dear?
And again, if you do come up, I don’t want it to be any expense to you, do you see? I shall send down the necessary and if there is any arguing there will be “ructious” mind. I have been having an awfully heavy time at the office the last day or two and this evening I finished up with a bad headache.
Well, no more now dear girl. With kind regards to all and lots of love and kisses to my darling sweetheart from
Sid
Notes:
* Kelvedon is a village not far to the northeast of London on the way to Colchester. It has a population of 3485 (2012).
* “Ructious” is not in the dictionary but “ruction’ means an argument or quarrel