My dearest Calvin,

Edna received your little card, telling us you are staying on at Northfield. I am sure it would be a lovely country and perhaps you can take some excursions. You will be glad to know that Hilda is off too. On Saturday afternoon had a telegram from Tom, saying if Hilda would join him at Montreal, he would wait over there for her and telegraph him on steamer Kingston at Prescott. H. demurred but on second thoughts decided to go. So she started Monday morning, the good McBain taking her to station. I have forgotten to say that Tom was coming down the St. Lawrence and going on up the Saguenay, stopping at Quebec on return. So this will be a fine change for Hilda. I was more than glad, for she needed the change and rest from housekeeping. I heard from Tom from the Windsor Montreal this morning, the telegram reached him and he would meet Hilda at C.P.R. station. It will be so nice for them both. It seems it was Mr. Chisholm who suggested the idea to Tom just was leaving the office to take H. and Tom was very glad. So if you want to say anything about your farm, as I wrote you you will have to write Mr. Chisholm, Box 63, Hamilton. This morning some fine vegetables came from Mr. Maclaren and we have just enjoyed fine peas and tomatoes and a delicious kind of corn, small cobs of rich yellow. There is a magnificent cauliflower and two immense vegetable marrows in the garden in fact we are rather overwhelmed with vegetables. The old gardener is here to-day and we are getting things in shape. Last week H. persisted in cutting grass, but did not desire to do it again, and Edna C. gave the lawn a thorough raking, one would think it had never been raked this year, the amount of old grass that was taken out of it. Afterwards with the rain, it came up beautifully. You will have to take notice in the Spring and see that the old grass is thoroughly raked out. We have had rain more or less every day, and all over there is great distress over the rain, Essex Co. asking help from Government. Last night however, it came in very cold and this morning we were rejoicing in the comfort of wood stoves. I went up to see Miss Lough and Mrs. Porteous, Mrs. P. much pleased with your book, the part you had marked just suited her case and her son's. Miss L. has been laid up with lumbago. Mrs. McKiel, Mrs.R. Kenny and Miss Ethel Maclaren came to see us and Mrs. and Miss Gibbs yesterday, so we are not neglected. Well, I think this is all at present. Edna has improved greatly, sleeping well and as the mistress is away, generally overseeing in the kitchen. Hope you are getting a good rest in body and mind. With much love from all.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten