My dear Cal,

Many happy returns of your birthday. We have been so occupied with sewing and getting the house done over, I mean the painting, the garden, and to cap the climax, the horse breaking down the wall, that we forgot about getting you presents.

To-morrow we are going to Oakville to see Bessie Balmer married. Mary and Hilda are invited to Mrs. Page's for dinner and tea. The whole of Oakville, it is expected, will turn out to see the wedding. If it is as bright a day as to-day it will be a most enjoyable outing. Bessie is marrying a Dr. Jones who has quite a good practice down in Toronto. I'm as much interested in seeing Carrie as anyone.

I saw Olive when she was here, she is the same as ever with the addition of a fine tailor made suit and handsome turban. She was much thinner which was a great improvement. Altogether she looked very well and seemed very glad to see me. Mama wants to keep the sepia painting I did you which was to be your birthday present. So, altogether it is a fine mix up.

Hilda and I expect to come up for good in June and have a very enjoyable time. It will be fine to escape the warm weather the end of June.

Alice's cat has died and she feels worse over it than if it had been a human being. She said she hadn't felt so badly over anything for a long time.

Your affec. sister 'Oddy' [Edna].

[letter edged in black]¹

¹ Ruby died in April 1911 and for at least a year all correspondence was edged in black.