My dearest Calvin,

As I had an accident with the milk bottle this morning I am using a pencil, for I still lazily take my breakfast in bed. It seems a long time since I wrote you and a long time since I heard from you as no letter came last week and none to-day. Yesterday was Labour Day, so Tom only went away this morning. He looks fine and well and seems to enjoy being at home, though there is no fun at all going. Hilda, Edna and he took a walk up to view Mrs. Mullin's house. It has got the roof on and frames in but not plastered [?] yet. Think it might have been hurried a little more.

We had a letter from Ruby to-day giving an encouraging report of her health, which is very cheering. She has none of the weak tired feeling she used to have especially after breakfast. Feels able to undertake anything. Isn't that good Dr. Arnott thinks she should stay out till end of November but I think R. would be worried if he did and her ticket would have to be extended, so I told her just to report herself to Dr. Caven at the beginning of October and abide by his decision. Think myself she would be alright by the end of October, she was never so ill as Dr. A. made out. And she is not going back to teach.

I had a letter from poor Mrs. Ross the other day which I told Ruby to send on to you. I was very glad to hear from her. Mrs. Proctor did not return with Mr. Proctor's remains. I expect it was a great shock and she would prefer staying quietly where she was to recover herself a little, before meeting the family whatever way the will is. From what she said once to me, think she dreaded Mr. P.'s death.

Had a call from Mrs. Steele, she came to say good-bye. Mr. Steele & she are taking Mabel to Germany to finish her [?]. Constance Henderson is at home. Poor Edwin is now preaching for a call. The Mother's case seems almost hopeless, knew Edwin for about ten minutes afterwards just wandered off and is just a skeleton, but the doctors do not know everything and if he can be built up [?] he may come alright with God's blessing. One can never forget C.'s case.

This has been a wonderful year for melons, the most immense ones, musk melons weighing 40 lbs we hear of. Wagon loads coming into the market splendid ones for ten cents. I always think of poor you if I could just reach you. The peaches are just coming in now and it is to be a great year for grapes, we were just saying we must put up some jam this year, you always liked it. Hilda says if you can mange to bring home any bottles to do so. Mrs. Whittemore came home after six weeks, she got homesick, told Tom, Harry and Flossie so quiet in the morning when she came down, it depressed her and she missed the boys at home. I fancy times are very dull for business men. Hilda had a letter from Grace Rioch and their one hope is the harvest for all their cash is out in the country, people could not pay last year.

I see Laurier is out again but I have not had time for his first declaration at [?]. He is a great man. Glad to see they have secured Rev Geo. Jackson for Victoria as Professor of the English Bible, they cannot get too good a man for that. Mr. Ketchen has been giving some fine sermons since he came back. Think you had better stick to Grosvenor St. it must be fearfully [?] with the Cars at Knox Coll. even if it is pretty quiet inside. You have just four more Sundays, have been counting. Oct 4th comes on a Sunday, so you must have everything packed before that. It was too bad my visit to Sparrow Lake came to such a sudden end for the weather had turned warmer and I could have enjoyed it, only the home-made bread would have finished me.

Well, I cannot think of anything more. We are having delightful weather but it has been very dry for some time. Had a man all morning cutting down golden rod in garden and he did not finish it, thought it had better not go to seed.

Hilda heard from Geills Kilgour some time ago. Her letters go to Mr. K.'s office and yours reached her just too late, she telephoned the station but train had gone, very sorry. She was home but not sure if she could stay for Tom's wedding, do not know the date. With much love from all.

Your loving Mother

M.B. McQuesten