[Dear Tom],

We expect to reach Victoria in an hour. Left Port Alberni at 11 a.m. for Esquimalt & Nanaimo R.R. returning by same route over mountains, highest of which is Arrowsmith 6000ft. at sea level; at 2 p.m. stayed at Wellington and have been running down to Victoria nearly always in sight of Gulf of Georgia which separates Vancouver Island from mainland. Ran out at Wellington and got sandwiches, coffee & custard pie, a lovely piece.

Miss Weir decided at the beginning just to go where we did so she is with us. I like her very much, very kind and never troublesome & is company for us. Having to leave Alberni to-day in order to catch the train gives us another day in Victoria for which I am very glad. We saw all we wanted in the time at Alberni and enjoyed it. Have been reckoning up and expect to catch steamer at Fort William on Saturday 20^th (D.V.). Reach Owen Sound on Monday 22^nd our last day but Sunday should not count. Think we have planned well. Will stay at "Empress" till Friday 2 p.m. & go back to Glencoe Lodge till next night the Saturday night we leave for Skagway, that is the 29^th.⁽¹⁾ We are just passing Esquimalt where we see a Salmon Cannery & it is hailing. Must close. With fondest love.

Your mother

[M.B. McQuesten]

[P.S.] 7:35 p.m. reached here the Empress about an hour ago. As I had secured rooms ahead, we got them at once. Hotel beautiful situated right beside the fine Parliament Buildings. Our room most comfortable lovely furniture hot & cold water in basin large bed for me and cot at head for M. [Mary] as we prefer being in same room. $2.00 a day for room–meals as you wish.

¹ In reconstructing the calendar dates, we note that if "Saturday night" is June 29^th, then "Saturday [the] 20^th" must be Saturday, July 20, 1912. Mary was away from Monday, June 10 to "Monday 22^nd," which she states is "our last day." That would be Monday, July 22, 1912.