41 Hope Valley Lane
Sheffield
Dear Jobie,
Since my last letter I have had no answer from you. We all hope you are safe but it is hard to keep our spirits up. The house rings empty for Mother, she says she misses your banging the door shut when you come home and is sorry she bawled at you when you did so. I see her on my day off from the family, but she feels your not being there more. I gave you our news in my last but I’m giving it again in case that last was lost. Miss Edith says she will keep me on colouring and painting her fancies, as I am so clever at it, so I shan’t have to go to make shells in the mill with the others next year when I turn fourteen. I told her the noise and tumult and the thought of what they’re for make dark thoughts come too powerfully. I have added my favourite fancies here so you can see what your little sister can do – Rosemary that’s for remembrance, says Miss Edith, and pansies, that’s for thought. She draws them on hankies she gets from Tucker’s by the dozen and note cards from Apsley’s, too, like this paper, and some of them are to be Valentines. They’re to have different pictures and borders and she says she’ll teach us lettering too and curlicues like this:
Let me be thy Love
Don’t laugh – do you like it?
Her older brother Charles you may hear of him soon she says as he is going great guns in London. He is an artist and has won a scholarship to study in London. She says his works are much appreciated and that he is going to make statues of our boys like you who are giving everything for us and we can be very proud of you. She says maybe he will make your picture! I can see you already in in my mind’s eye standing there so grand in your cape and boots and helmet.
But it is hard not to know about you. I pray you are safe.
Miss Edith has helped me with the spelling and other things and she sends you her best wishes for a safe return home.
Please write and send me and Mother your news,
Your loving sister,
May
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