My dearest Calvin,

I think some of us should have written you on Saturday at least, but between talking and unpacking every one has been very busy. Edna stood the journey very well, and was much entertained by Leslie Maclaren, who with Jean met them at Ottawa, where they had to change stations, which is somewhat of a nuisance. E. found the sleeping birth most comfortable and they had a nice breakfast before reaching here. She seems remarkably well. I hope you will be very comfortable and not feel burdened with the constant presence of another. Do not let her feed you too well, for instance grape fruit or orange for breakfast, they upset the stomach.

Edna seems so well, it is a comfort to see her. Buckingham was a great blessing, she liked the people so much and was altogether so cheered up. The six weeks' quiet here was good for me, perfect freedom rested me. I hear you have been giving most Excellent discourses on the Union question stating both sides most fairly.¹ I hope you will take good care of yourself.

You have been having a great recruiting meetings I hear. This a Sad and wearisome time. Crowds out every day to see the battalions of Soldiers passing through from Niagara to Toronto. I never go out, I cannot bear to look at them. It is so terrible.

The weather continues very mild with us, no snow here. Glad to hear the Manse is "Such a comfortable house, furnace So Satisfactory, So controllable." It is a great comfort, such a difference in furnaces. The girls send much love and hope you are not lonely. H. is off to Mission Band. Hope to have some thing of interest to tell next time. With much love.

Your affectionate Mother

M.B. McQuesten

¹ Church Union, which finally occurred in 1925, was being hotly debated at this time.

The following undated, handwritten note was found at Whitehern and designated Box 04-038:

[Written in red pencil at top of note:] Passed by MacNab Session but not [published].

The attention of the congregation is called to the fact that the pamphlet on "Co-operation and Union," distributed to-day in the pews, is issued, not by the Presbyterian Church-Union Movement Committee but by the Joint Committee on Church Union of which such pronounced Anti-Unionists as... are members.