"I know by experience I can make a woman perfectly happy" Read the full letter
| Letter Reference | Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold3/Jan-Feb1920/24 |
| Archive | University of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town |
| Epistolary Type | Letter |
| Letter Date | 3 February 1920 |
| Address From | 9 Porchester Place, Edgware Road, Westminster, London |
| Address To | |
| Who To | Betty Molteno |
| Other Versions | |
| Permissions | Please read before using or citing this transcription |
| Legend |
The Project is grateful to Manuscripts and Archives, University of Cape Town, for kindly allowing us to transcribe this Olive Schreiner letter, which is part of its Manuscripts and Archives Collections. The date has been written on this letter in an unknown hand. Schreiner was resident at Porchester Place from early April 1917 until August 1920, when she left Britain for South Africa.
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1Dear,
2
3I have your letter. I long to see you but want to be wherever you rest
4most. May enclosed these letters for you not knowing if you were here
5or in Trevone.
6
7I am going out to Africa in September when Oliver & Edna go, as I
8can’t stay here any more. I do th At least if I can get a deck cabin
9with two windows. Oh do come out
10
11 ^too. If May & Freddie & Mrs Molteno could all go out together how
12lovely it would be.
13
14Olive^
15
2
3I have your letter. I long to see you but want to be wherever you rest
4most. May enclosed these letters for you not knowing if you were here
5or in Trevone.
6
7I am going out to Africa in September when Oliver & Edna go, as I
8can’t stay here any more. I do th At least if I can get a deck cabin
9with two windows. Oh do come out
10
11 ^too. If May & Freddie & Mrs Molteno could all go out together how
12lovely it would be.
13
14Olive^
15
Notation
The letter is written on the back of a letter from May Murray Parker, dated 2 February 1920, as follows:
My darling Olive
Thank you so much for the enclosures which I am returning.
I can’t tell you how glad I am you are thinking of going to Africa next Autumn, fancy if we could all go together!
I am sure we could find some place that would suit you. Our old home Kenilworth House we have just sold but I believe the man who has bought it is letting those two nice nurses continue to rent it & run it as a boarding house. I will write and find out particulars & let you know.
Aunt Bessee is so happy here with us, & we talk many S. African plans. She is tremendously looking forward to going out & is hoping Margaret will wait out there until she goes in the Autumn. Margaret seems so happy & interested out there & is such a pleasure to them all.
John Molteno is such a very nice fellow, such a gentle true nature. He is not at all strong yet but is improving each day & is such a much better colour. I have not written again to Aunt Betty as I do not know quite where to send a letter. If she should be with you please give her ever so much love from us. She has said nothing yet about coming here. ^She^ must do just what she really feels would help her.
Did you like the dog story that Freddie sent you?
I have had several interruptions & now it is time to post.
Very very much love from us both / ever
Your everloving
May
The letter is written on the back of a letter from May Murray Parker, dated 2 February 1920, as follows:
My darling Olive
Thank you so much for the enclosures which I am returning.
I can’t tell you how glad I am you are thinking of going to Africa next Autumn, fancy if we could all go together!
I am sure we could find some place that would suit you. Our old home Kenilworth House we have just sold but I believe the man who has bought it is letting those two nice nurses continue to rent it & run it as a boarding house. I will write and find out particulars & let you know.
Aunt Bessee is so happy here with us, & we talk many S. African plans. She is tremendously looking forward to going out & is hoping Margaret will wait out there until she goes in the Autumn. Margaret seems so happy & interested out there & is such a pleasure to them all.
John Molteno is such a very nice fellow, such a gentle true nature. He is not at all strong yet but is improving each day & is such a much better colour. I have not written again to Aunt Betty as I do not know quite where to send a letter. If she should be with you please give her ever so much love from us. She has said nothing yet about coming here. ^She^ must do just what she really feels would help her.
Did you like the dog story that Freddie sent you?
I have had several interruptions & now it is time to post.
Very very much love from us both / ever
Your everloving
May