[Note at top] Is there any use sending British Weekly? You seem so busy.

Dearest Cal.,

I forgot to enclose this letter from Mrs. McCrae, which you will enjoy reading. Whenever, I receive one from her, which I have not for a long, I envy her her placid temperament which enables her to write so well in every sense of the word. I am sure you would need a stenographer.

This frightful rush, which you seem to be in, makes your writing wilder than ever, and my hand writing is really hurried with the constant running after something for some one. I do hope that you will not always be so rushed, for with any one of an excitable nervous temperament like we have, it finally makes us wrecks. Unless urged on by some pressing need, I can scarcely do any thing, and with great difficulty can fix my mind on anything requiring thought. So I just pictured your flying off to Calgary and talking your head off with John Clark. Tom always thought you should be in a quiet charge were you would have some time for some literary religious writing; for you cannot be quiet by your brain is so active that you are always making schemes; and I have found that after working myself up into frenzy, nothing ever came of it, no special good was done, and the people who keep quietly on doing finally accomplish the most. And if you do well the work assigned to you, it will need all your time and attention, so that you can have the quiet time you require.

We had some bitter weather last, week, but fortunately it only lasted a night and day so severe. There was a high wind and for the first time they felt cold at the cottage. Did any one ask you out on Christmas day except Lorna? Do you receive any kindnesses at all?

By-the-way Tom told me to warn you against that Mrs. Benjamin, do not say anything to her you do not wish used against you or repeated. She and her son boarded with Grey at Ann Snell's and she was a great trial. The son a very decent fellow. How in the world did Lorna pick her up? Mary Taylor has been here since Wednesday but leaves to-day. Mary is out with her now, such a comfort to have a maid to get the dinner. Hope you did not catch cold on the train. With much love, dear boy.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten