1Ratel Hoek
2May 31st 1878.
3
4My dear Katie!
5
6Many thanks for your letter. I thought you had almost forgotten me.
7
8I will send you another likeness as soon as I can get more from
9Queenstown. Please tell me which sort it was I sent you, & I will send
10you one of the other kind this time. Was I leaning over a chair, or
11was it just a head, alone?
12
13When-ever you have a chance you must be sure to have your own taken. I
14have not one of you, nor of John, nor of the dear little ones, except
15Katie.
16
17It is beginning to get very cold here & there is much sickness about,
18especially croup. Mr. Martin’s little boy of eleven years has had a
19very bad attack, & I hear that children in Cradock as old as thirteen
20^years^ have had it; This is very strange, as it seldom attacks children
21of more than seven years.
22
23I had a letter from dear Mamma by last post. She was pretty well, but
24suffering a little from sore eyes, & not feeling strong at all.
25
26I wish very much she could come up & visit me when the cold weather is
27over as I shall not be able to go down to Seymour till Christmas.
28
29I know the Martins would be very glad to see her. But travelling is so
30expensive & there are so few opportunities that I am half afraid she
31will not be able to manage it.
32
33I hope dear Katie it will not be so
34
35^long before I hear from you again. I am always very glad of your
36letters.
37
38With love to all the dear little ones,
39I remain
40Your affecate sister,
41Olive^
42