1 Hanover
2 June 4th 1902
3
4 Dear Isie
5
6 I was so very very glad to hear from you again. Please write soon &
7tell me how all goes with you & whether there is any chance of your
8seeing your husband soon. Also please send me your mother’s address.
9I want to write to her & ask her to do something unreadable for me.
10
11 On Monday morning the guns fired here & we were told it was because
12the Boers had surrendered, & there was going to be peace. Since that,
13the last three days, I am able to hear nothing. Of course the village
14is full of reports. Some say the Boers have got their independence &
15the Transvaal flag is flying at Pretoria. The jingoes say the Boers
16have been beaten absolutely & had to surrender. One doesn’t know
17what is true, & what is not, & ^believes every one lies.^ One sees no
18^English^ papers so it will probably be months before we know the truth
19here. I heard your husband passed at de Aar close to this yesterday.
20What would I not have given to see him for half an hour. I have not
21seen the face of a friend except my husband’s for so many long
22months, but while I have him I should be so absolutely contented when
23I think of all of you. I was one year & two months without seeing him
24& you have been two years separated from your husband & he was in the
25greatest danger ^all that time.^ I don’t know how you have lived
26through it, dear one. I hope you will be so well when the meeting time
27comes. Let me know that I may share your joy.
28
29 Good bye dear. The world seems rather dark just now. But the sun will
30rise at last. Give my love to Ella.
31
32 I am afraid it will be very long before I can get a pass to go to Cape
33Town, but some day if I go perhaps I shall see her.
34
35 Yours ever Olive
36
37 Give our affectionate remembrances to your husband when you write to
38him.
39
40