My Dearest Calvin

When I came home yesterday from St. David's was very glad to find your letter which had reached here day before. It was quite a relief to hear you had met some pleasant people and had such good prospects of liking your field. Your description of the pony makes us wish you could bring it back with you. I happened to read E's [Edna] enclosed letter. Tom's being out of sorts was all in her imagination. To tell you the truth Mrs. James completely upset Edna, and got her into such a state that I was worried to death. When Mrs. J. first came she had really a turn of nervous prostration and talked without ceasing and while I was away in Toronto at convocation, she never left the girls a moment, as she was better she was able to come downstairs and follow them at their work so they were nearly worn out. E. never slept at all one whole night. However Mrs. J. got better and became quieter and went away on Monday quite a different person and immediately E. got back to her own room she was quite herself and picked up nicely.

Thursday I went into Hamilton, went to see Mrs. Bell who leaves for England on Monday, took dinner with Mrs. Mullin and took afternoon train to the Falls, changed there and went by M.C.R. to St. David's which is a little village near Niagara-on-the-Lake. Mr. Campbell is minister there. Mrs. C. is a sister of Mr. McCoy. Another sister Miss McCoy was there who heard you speak at Westminster Church on Home Missions and was much pleased at your earnestness. Said McNeal referred to it next Sabbath. Next day had to rise at 5:30 to catch train, came into Hamilton had dinner with Mrs. Thomson, went up on the mountain to see Alice Chisholm and came home. Did I tell you on last letter that Tom is to stay with Royce and Henderson for the present at $75. a month ¹. Some communication has come from Mr. Briggs & Co. but I did not open it as I thought better not, hope it is nothing disagreeable, but thought you would know best how to settle it.

I was so glad to get back here after being in the city, it seems so dusty and full of ill odours. Tom is going to write you. With much love.

Your Mother

[M.B. McQuesten]

¹ A later letter states that the salary is to be "a thousand" [$1000], see W5912, Jul 20 1907.