My dear Mother,

Am very sorry that such a time has elapsed since I wrote you last but I have really been so busy for the last week that I have not had a minute to write a letter. Beginning a week ago Sunday I was in Hamilton practically everyday. We are closing up the Beach business and it entails quite a bit of work. I paid out myself over fifteen thousand dollars.

Was in the house every day and nearly every time I went in it I was caught. On Monday evening I went there and opened the library shutters. Pretty soon there was a banging at the back door and I went out and there was a "cop." He was a little doubtful that I belonged to the house at all but he finally believed me. Then on Wednesday I went up again to the house and opened the shutter again. I was over at Mr. Logie's within fifteen minutes. He told me he was glad to see me because somebody had first reported to him that our shutter was open. I was in Hamilton again on Friday but I thought I had better not open the window at all as it would probably be causing trouble.

Then on Saturday afternoon I had to come up and go down to the Beach. I was in time to catch the Modjeska back to Toronto. I was calculating on getting a good dinner on it. But when I came to eat, I found that there was only a lunch counter, and that without exception the dirtiest place I have been in for some time, at which they sold pie and buns and pork and beans. I took the latter and it answered my hunger for the time. On the Turbinia they give you a very nice dinner not that I am trying at all to crack up that boat.

The town is full of Englishmen just now at the Medical Association. That, together with the number of Tourists in town and the fact that the fair is almost on, has overtaxed the hotel accommodation to such an extent that the Royal hotel in Hamilton has been filled with members of the Association.

Paid a call on Mrs. Stevenson last night. She does not look at all well. Jack however looks better than I have ever seen him.

Am sending you a Globe to-day. Shall write as soon again as I can.

[Thomas McQuesten]