[Dear Mother],

Very many happy returns of the day my dearest mother, and may you live to eat the hen that scratches your grave. You must not be angry with me for sending you that book in spite of your orders to the contrary as I had already asked one of the boys in Copp Clark to get it for me.¹ I remembered you having asked about it sometime ago and hope you will enjoy it. As I only got it today I did not have time to read it, but as it apparently has no plot you can have it for odd moments. The author has succeeded in concealing her identity entirely but is generally supposed to be some member of the royal family of England.

Before I forget let me say that Tom may be in no way the worse for Friday's hustle which I think he quite enjoyed.² Suggested the arrangement you spoke of about Mary's board and Mrs. Minguard [Mingrand?] thought it quite fair. Isn't this a most agreeable change than any of the others. I do hope the suddenness of it did not upset you.

Tom has probably told you that we had a good game of tennis at St. Margaret's on Saturday and tea at the College afterwards.

But will give you a full account of all my doings when I come home for Thanksgiving. Hoping that you may have a very happy birthday.

With much love,

Your affectionate son,

Calvin

¹ Mary Baker McQuesten's birthday was October 10, and we have used this date for the estimated date of the letter. Calvin was working as a journalist at this time for the "News" in Toronto.

² See W4454 for another account of a "hustle" in a boarding house; the incident appears to have been caused by people who were coming in after "balls and sprees." Calvin and Tom regularly had boarding-house problems, and Mary worried about their care and meals, (W4436, W4444, W4454, W4759).