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Letter ReferenceSchreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/6
ArchiveUniversity of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town
Epistolary TypeLetter
Letter Date29 July 1880
Address FromLily Kloof, Halesowen, Eastern Cape
Address To
Who ToAlice Hemming nee Schreiner
Other Versions
PermissionsPlease 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 name of the addressee is povided by content.
1 Lily Kloof
2 July 29 / 80
3
4 My dear darling old Sister!
5
6 This evening Robert’s letter reached me. I cannot believe that its
7news is really true, that my darling boy is really gone, & your little
8Willie. My little Leo, with his sweet brown eyes, & beautiful curls,
9that loved me so much! I cannot think that he is really gone, that not
10any where in the world would I find that darling face now. Oh, my old
11sister, I don’t know what you must feel. Every time I I think of it it
12comes on me with a fresh blow, & your poor old heart, with your empty
13lonely house!
14
15 I think especially of the last night in Cape Town when he lay in his
16little bed & said "Oh my dear Auntie, put your face quite close to
17mine, on my cheek." I don’t know why that night keeps coming back to
18me now.
19
20 I am so anxious because Robert said that he feared that you might be
21getting the hooping-cough also. Do write to me soon, & tell me how or
22you are, or ask Robert to write; & oh, when you can, do write & tell
23me something more. My poor, poor old sister I do not think I ever felt
24so sorry before for anyone. Please send me two little curls. I hope
25you had your own likeness taken in Cape Town. I feel so very anxious
26about you. Do let me hear from you soon, darling old sister.
27
28 Poor old Robert tells me that baby Ethelwyn had cough too, but seemed
29getting better. I want so to hear whether Wynne has got it. I wish I
30could be with you this evening. They are all dancing here, & it seems
31so strange that anyone can wish to dance.
32
33 Give my love to dear old Robert, & know that I think of you, my dear
34old Alice. I never knew that I loved you so much.
35
36 I will write again soon
37 Olive
38
39