My dear dear boy,

Here we are at home again; came yesterday by the Turbinia. It was a beautiful day, but rather windy, however we found a sheltered corner. It is certainly a great matter to be able to get here within two hours. Mrs. Ross and the invalid daughter came up also, to spend a little time with Mrs. Scott and we expect Jean next week. Poor Margaret Ross is such a frail weak girl, it is pitiable to see her, and Mrs. Ross is worn out. I enjoyed the change in some ways, my appetite always improves at Mrs. MacKay's but I was glad to get away. One has to make talk so continually, that it is quite exhausting; then Willie came home and he would not go outside the gate by himself, and I had to try & take him out once a day. However, we used this time to see the Parliament Buildings and the University. There we saw that collection of pictures by Paul Kane, which are very interesting and quite worth seeing. We also saw the portraits in the Library, but had not time to go into Biological Building. Did I tell you that Gordon had bought a house in Parkdale? He came home one day in a cab for some of his things, not himself at all. Then on Saturday evening before dark, a young man brought Drummond home in a cab and deposited him on the lawn, a crowd gazing through the fence. The maids dragged him upstairs & had a great time quieting him. Fortunately, I was upstairs and was supposed to know nothing about it and Ruby was away at Mrs. Henderson's. But you can imagine how very uncomfortable it was.

Mr. MacKay did all he could to make us comfortable and take drives, and poor Mrs. M. said it was a comfort to her just to know I was there, I was nearer to her than any of her kindred and the nurse was so glad to have our company, but I got quite tired out, for I did not sleep well. Ruby stayed from Saturday till Monday evening with Constance. They had just received word that Edwin Kellog had typhoid fever, but not severely. He had a place for the Summer as tutor to a boy of 14 at his country home near New York.

Had a letter from Cal., which I will inclose. It will be lovely to have you & Cal. both in Toronto next year. I think Cal. has managed so well to be able to put himself through next year. I only hope his health will hold out through those dreadful examinations and he will have forgotten so much too. In a note to Ruby he was doing a modest trade with the Indians, selling 4 photos for 50 cents. R. goes to Ottawa Monday Sept. 5^th.

Thursday afternoon.

Have just returned from a picnic given at the East End Incline by the Jewish Mission workers, to which our members were invited. Dr. & Mrs. Parsons, Mr. Duncan-Clarke, Mr. W. Helmer of China Inland House came up with a number of others. They came on Turbinia and we had lunch & they returned by afternoon boat. Mrs. Begue had been calling and Ruby saw her. She told that Rachel Georgina was engaged to Stanley Robinson & Amy to Murray Hendrie who has some situation in Dundas, but drinks continually. One would think Amy might have been warned by her father.

Found your ever welcome letter had come. It was pleasant to see the McLarens. Am glad to know you are feeling well, you lay a good deal of stress on nourishment. You have a warm admirer in Mr. MacKay. Am sending you Presbyterian & a "News." We came home day of Perry's reception. Will you look through the Presbyterians & keep me the ones that have Prof. McFadyen's articles? From what I hear of his teachings he should be dismissed from Knox Coll. It is a terrible thing to destroy belief in the Bible, the devil is using him. I trust you will study the Bible for yourself and not be led aside by the teachings of those men who have become so wise that they have lost themselves & simply ignore the plain statements of the Word of God. With fondest love.

Your mother

M.B. McQuesten