My dearest Calvin,

Your card to Mary came this morning and am glad to know that Mrs. Jaffary has so kindly taken you in, it is a comfort to be with old friends whom you always liked so much. I quite understand that you can work much or little, but with your spirit the demand will keep you on the alert. Mrs. Fletcher says Dr. McQueen is a tremendous worker and has unlimited physical strength but we trust he will have mercy on you. Dr. F. had hoped to place you in Beamsville, a woeful prospect. In order to give Edna a little change we two took the Radial down there one day last week, we were two hours sitting there, had our dinner at a small inn, strolled about a little, quite a pretty little place for summer, houses fresh and clean, then spent two hours more getting home.

On Saturday we had a great day here. It was the football match for Dominion championships between Varsity and Hamilton. Days before when sale of tickets began at Mills's, there was a line from there down past Hughson St. and some stayed out all night. Ticket's were bought and sold for $1.50, $5.00 and four were sent for by a Cawthra from Toronto for $100. Crowds filled the streets decorated with the respective colours, the Varsity boys swarmed over the place and yellow chrysanthemums 25 cts. a piece were much in evidence. Thousands came from all over New York, Winnipeg, Cobalt, 24 from there, and we heard that a New York man said, he "never saw such a clean game" quite amazed, and Bert Glassco from Winnipeg said it was worth the money to see such a clean game.

Tom had calls from many friends and his particular friend "Straff" Watson came in the morning. He had secured tickets for 50cts. had a boy down on the line. Mr. Watson came for dinner, and he was the most well-bred gentlemanly fellow we have met for many years, and one of the nice things he did was to wear a yellow chrysanthemum, which he purchased in our market. But unfortunately is pretty deaf; (from Scarlet Fever). I was telling Ruby, I would just have liked him for her; he had just such a sweet way about him and so thoroughly the gentleman, tho' very quiet. Unfortunately we still have no girl and poor Mary just stayed in the kitchen, but Hilda came down in time to be at the table. All the bands were out and 800 "rooters" practised songs for preparation. A grand stand for each body of "rooters." It is positively ridiculous the fuss and people really went crazy. The only reason we would have liked Hamilton to win, was just the way some Toronto people talked as if Varsity was their team. Why two of them were Hamilton men. But Varsity won, 16 to 7.

I go up to the cottage as often as I can and always Sunday afternoon and stay for tea and let Hilda go to church. Yesterday I read R. your two sermons, we both thought them very fine. R. said "she would like to hear them herself." I think your description of John Baptist particularly fine and vivid. Samson very good too and wonderfully well treated, never heard it treated before and you made fine points out of it. Yesterday morning Mr. Ketchen started his, by announcing the prayer meeting and asking if the Elders were waiting for a special invitation or the managers and said, "if he were to say what he intended when he left the platform on Wednesday night he would make a sensation, but he would not say it. But at the beginning of January he will make a proposition to the Elders and managers of this church." They all got a shock and I felt so wrought up that he should be forced to say this, that I blew up Tom so sharply that there were strange relations all day. But it is a mean thing to bring a minister to a church and leave him to bear the whole weight. He even has to take the Bible Class and few attend. Mr. Chisholm could take an evening to go down to Toronto and see that vile woman Sarah Bernhardt, but he can never come to a prayer meeting and none of the managers ever did, with the consequence, that any young fellow who might come feels like a curiosity and seems a good goody.

Poor old Mr. Dingwall died last week. Did I tell you? I think not for I thought you would be home to hear all the news. Well, Mary Warden and children are home with her father, for Aleck speculated and is said to have lost $30,000, his mother's too, led a gay life, giving expensive dinners down town and belonging to all the clubs. Much worse is said too, but may not be true. He is in Montreal looking for something to do. Then poor Hessie Bell Snow has to leave her husband and is coming home. He took up with another woman and has been living with her for three years unknown to her or his father. So Hilda and R. think they are fortunate to be keeping their own house without the trouble of a husband. Every one has their troubles Mr. & Mrs. Turner are out at Vancouver with Kate Ferrie who has been suffering terribly for about two months now.

I am thankful R. has not acute pain; her digestion has not been good and has had to live on boiled milk and toast for ten days. Thought it a little better last night. Edna has just come in. Elsie Buchanan very kindly telephoned Tom that a carriage was coming up for her this afternoon and could bring any of us to the cottage and take us back. Wasn't it thoughtful? I was busy, and M. too so Edna was delighted to be taken up, and H. sent word R. was much better, her trouble gone.

So think this is all I can write now and may post it as the time will seem long enough. Had thought of waiting for your letter. Hope you will sometime tell me all about your leaving Glenhurst, how you disposed of your things &c. It has taken me awhile to get used to idea of your not coming home but Ont. is not attractive. Do you see Presbyterian. Much is being said on Union [Church Union]. I do not favour it. Dr. McNair has written very good letter on subject. With fondest love.

Your mother

M.B. McQuesten

[P.S.] Tom has go permanent examinership for 4 years at $400 a year.

[Written on back of envelope] Nov 21, 22, 28.