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Letter ReferenceOlive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold4/Mar-Dec1920/20
ArchiveUniversity of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town
Epistolary TypeLetter
Letter Date5 September 1920
Address FromBirzana, Plumstead, Cape Town, Western Cape
Address To
Who ToBetty Molteno
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 cuttings sent with this letter to are no longer attached.
1Binzana
2Plumstead
3Sep 5th 1920
4
5My darling Betty
6
7To-day Carol & Lucy came to see me; they stayed about two hours. We
8had a delightful talk about farming & all sorts of things. Carol is a
9splendid girl, she reminds me a little of Margaret, the same quiet
10strength. It was beautiful seeing them together. They are like a red &
11white rose – each one setting the other off. I had a long letter
12from Lucy (big Lucy) who is still down at Miller’s Point, but who I
13shall see next week. I am longing to see her. The girls say they are
14coming again soon to see me. They were here about two hours.
15
16It has poured with rain ever since I came till to-day. I have only
17been out of the house once, to see Fan. I am even less able to walk
18than I was in England. Even walking a few steps sets the Angina off.
19But this afternoon Ruth Alexander came to fetch me in a taxi & drove
20me to Muizenberg, where I saw a nice room which I may take; & then she
21drove me on to her house where we had tea, & I met a most delightful
22young man, a young Fresh-Man, who is the new Greek Professor at the
23University He’s only been in Africa four months. He’s a Sien
24Feiner. I felt like Robinson Creuso when he found his man Friday on
25the Desert Island. You must come out darling. I’m sure you’ll be
26happy here. All the dear people are so kind. Dear Jessie Innes has
27been to see me & I am going to spend a day with her next week.
28Tomorrow Anna Purcell is going to drive me in her Motor to Miller
29Houts Bay, in the afternoon & tomorrow morning Cron’s two sisters
30are coming to see me. The younger one has to under go a terrible
31operations on Monday. I hope it will not turn out to be cancer.
32
33Ruths children are delightful especially little Muriel, whom I have
34always loved. How Alice would have loved to see Carol as she is now. I
35am always thinking of Alice.
36
37Anna Purcells William is more lovely than ever. As for Ursies boy I
38can’t tell you how sweet & precious he is. Jessie Innes can’t
39speak enough of him; she says he a unique & wonderful personality.
40
41If only I could get a little better how happy I should be here –
42perhaps I shall improve when the weather gets warmer & drier. I am
43going to spend a days with the Mushets this week.
44
45I like Ursie’s husband better & better. He’s a dear fellow & they
46are so happy together in their little home. Dot is doing well.
47
48Now after my writing such a respectable letter to you, you must write
49to me darling. At least a line to tell me how you are. I hope you have
50seen Mrs Murray & I hope, oh so much she is better. She is very ill &
51weak usually.
52
53Good bye dear
54Olive
55
56^Tuesday.^
57
58Thank you so much for your letter & cuttings. Big Lucy & little Lucy
59came to see me yesterday, both looked lovely.
60
61The cold here is bitter. The mountains about white with snow.
62