"Fighting Boer women" Read the full letter
| Letter Reference | Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold2/Aug-Dec1919/43 |
| Archive | University of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town |
| Epistolary Type | Letter |
| Letter Date | Friday 12 December 1919 |
| 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.
|
1Friday
2
3My darling Betty
4
5I have drawn my table up close to the fire & am really going to try &
6write to you. It is a foggy dark day. In a way I am thankful you are
7not here, but oh how I sometimes long to see you.
8
9There land-lady has told Oliver & Edna they cannot have them at No 3
10after they have a baby & for two weeks we have been seeking everywhere
11for rooms where they will have them. At last we have found a place at
12South Kensington, but so far away I shall hardly ever be able to see
13them. I sometimes found dear little Edna crying in her room, they will
14not take people with a baby even in any hotel. I am so thankful
15she’s found a place at last. They leave No 3 next Monday. I feel
16their going. It was something to know they were there. Edna is very
17sweet, but I don’t think you & she would have much in common. I
18don’t think she likes emotions, she is like Mrs Molteno, very true &
19good, & noble in so many ways.
20
21All my news from the Cape is very good.
22
23What is the matter with Helen’s heart, is it vulvular disease or
24enlargement. I suppose the doctors won’t tell – so few will tell
25the truth. Clemenceaus visit here bodes no good to England or the
26world. Why does Lloyd George allow himself to be so dominated by him.
27One thing is certain – if Clemenceau lives five years his influence
28in France will be quite gone, there will be a strong reaction against
29him. Does Alice still feel strong enough to be read to & take an
30interest in things in her old wonderful way?
31
32I had such a great joy yesterday. The dear Batthyany’s came to see
33me. They are going to send a taxi to take me up to Hampstead on Monday,
34 & they will bring me back in a taxi before it gets dark
35
36Good bye my dear one. You don’t know how much you are to me. Now
37Will is gone you seem my closest link left with humanity.
38
39Olive
40
2
3My darling Betty
4
5I have drawn my table up close to the fire & am really going to try &
6write to you. It is a foggy dark day. In a way I am thankful you are
7not here, but oh how I sometimes long to see you.
8
9There land-lady has told Oliver & Edna they cannot have them at No 3
10after they have a baby & for two weeks we have been seeking everywhere
11for rooms where they will have them. At last we have found a place at
12South Kensington, but so far away I shall hardly ever be able to see
13them. I sometimes found dear little Edna crying in her room, they will
14not take people with a baby even in any hotel. I am so thankful
15she’s found a place at last. They leave No 3 next Monday. I feel
16their going. It was something to know they were there. Edna is very
17sweet, but I don’t think you & she would have much in common. I
18don’t think she likes emotions, she is like Mrs Molteno, very true &
19good, & noble in so many ways.
20
21All my news from the Cape is very good.
22
23What is the matter with Helen’s heart, is it vulvular disease or
24enlargement. I suppose the doctors won’t tell – so few will tell
25the truth. Clemenceaus visit here bodes no good to England or the
26world. Why does Lloyd George allow himself to be so dominated by him.
27One thing is certain – if Clemenceau lives five years his influence
28in France will be quite gone, there will be a strong reaction against
29him. Does Alice still feel strong enough to be read to & take an
30interest in things in her old wonderful way?
31
32I had such a great joy yesterday. The dear Batthyany’s came to see
33me. They are going to send a taxi to take me up to Hampstead on Monday,
34 & they will bring me back in a taxi before it gets dark
35
36Good bye my dear one. You don’t know how much you are to me. Now
37Will is gone you seem my closest link left with humanity.
38
39Olive
40