My dear Cal,

We are getting so near Christmas, that I feel too excited to write more than a few lines. How very sad about Dr. McVicar! And yet not sad for him. Such a painless death without having outlived his usefulness. Had never felt he was no longer wanted. It was a beautiful end. I cannot imagine any more desirable ending to one's life.

Mr. Fletcher was summoned yesterday to Mrs. Irving, who is ill, but have heard no particulars. As the Dr. was not sent for, we hope it is not serious, but I myself think Mrs. Irving is very frail. Annie Anderson (Mrs. Rose's cousin) who is with us, is a very nice young English girl, and we like having her very much, she is so jolly & helps the girls, all she can. Have not heard from Tom for two weeks, but suppose he is very busy trying to get through before Xmas. Mrs. Whittemore mentioned that he took tea there on Sabbath evening. Bessie Ross Grace has a baby boy, Nathaniel by name.

Well Cal dear, I am very busy & too restless to write. Do not spend all your spare money on the family. Are you to get the day before or the day after Xmas? You need not trouble sending Saturday's paper as the Herald is sent to "Mary Baldwin" until beginning of February. What was the correct number of spots? Is Mrs. Skeoch keeping house? Be sure & tell me if she is not. R. [Ruby] had something in view for her. Well dear, hope you have kept free from cold. Last Saturday was a fearful day here and the coal seems so poor but milder since.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten

¹ On September 21, 1903, Calvin resigned from the Herald, left Montreal (W7440), and came home to rest. He then took a position as a missionary preacher in Macleod, Alberta in November, 1903, and in Standoff, Alberta in early 1904 (15-20 miles apart) (see W7442, W7443,W7444).