1Wagenaar’s Kraal
2Three Sisters
3
4Dear Friend
5
6I have just heard of dear old Cronje’s surrender. Every one here is
7rejoicing. But this is not the end. And when all the fighting is over
8there is yet the question of the settlement.
9
10I see in the paper today the notice of Collets death. He & ?Dovetin
11(the man who shouted out in the Johannesburg stock-exchange when
12Hofmeyer came to try & make peace there, - “To Hell with the
13Afrikander.”) are both gone, two men who men who most shameful
14sought to produce this war.
15
16I have only had a wire saying Cronje had surrendered, but do not yet
17know with how many men! It seems to me quite possible most of the
18force who were at Magersfontein are not there.
19
20I hope Miss Smith is better. Write & tell me about your plans when you
21have made them. Are you perhaps going to keep on the school.
22
23Go This is a very sad place, the sad-dest place I have almost ever
24seen. It doesn’t seem like Karroo yet it is. Instead of the velt
25inspiriting & cheering one, it’s so awfully sad. I suppose because
26its rather shut it with no open stretch.
27
28I can only stay on here because I know I must, & I keep saying to
29myself it is not for life. But I have an unreasonable sort of feeling
30that I shall never be able to go away again.
31
32I am working a little, & nearly as well as when you were in town, so I
33must stay.
34
35You know even the sheep & goats seem sad here, so it must be part in
36myself rather than the place.
37
38I shall get Cron’s letter t in a few days. He says those people who
39are on our side in England are working heart & soult
40
41Good bye. Drope me one word when you have time.
42Olive
43