[Note at top] Thanks for H.'s cards

My dearest Calvin,

I hope by this time you and your esteemed brother are enjoying a quiet time free from all feminine supervision. The day Tom left, Mary and I attended the reception and luncheon given at the Royal Hotel for the distinguished Geologists who are visiting our country. As so seldom anything of this kind has come our way we enjoyed it very much. The gentleman on my right was a very unassuming handsome Londoner, Mr. Charlton, and on my left Mr. J. W. Tyrrel, the older brother of the one who lives here, very chatty and agreeable. Both the wives were very nice too.

The decorating of the city was beautiful; Florrie Bell and her little boy took tea with us yesterday and we walked down to King St. afterwards, Lennox has a beautiful electric display and Tom will have told you about the "Crowns." They are wonderfully handsome Mr. Charlton said he had seen many fine decorations but he thought these were the finest and he had never seen the crowns used before. If you could think of coming down to see it, come on Monday for the Old Boys Parade is on Tuesday and it is the best. Fireworks on Wednesday.

We expect to be ready to go on Friday. I thought it a pity for us to miss all that was to be seen, it entertains Edna, which is worth something. But I am sorry to shorten the time with you; however, I will stay on through September. I made myself known to Mayor Allan at the luncheon and found him very cordial. Sorry poor Tom's holiday is such a short one. With much love to you both.

Your affectionate mother

M. B. McQuesten

[P.S.] Hope you received all Hilda's letters which I posted last Sat.