Dearest Calvin,

Your letter did not come as usual to-day, but I trust you are only busy. You would find driving very trying, if you had as much wind as we have had. You would be very sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Alex Turner this morning; last Thursday, he fell as the result of a clot of blood in the brain and was only semi-conscious after though at first he did not want a doctor. He was a very valuable member of MacNab and a liberal giver whom we shall miss greatly, so sad too about Lieut. Scott! It is always a marvel to me why men risk so much for so little. That was a fine puff you received at Huntsville. I never heard much about that trip. Did you stay overnight with the Minister? Mr. Murray enclosed me a letter from Jean McKeracher in which she mentioned your having preached a splendid sermon at preparatory service. They were having a unique entertainment and Jean was asking Mr. Murray for some ivy [sic].

Wednesday Evening.

Very glad to receive your letter at 6:00 so thankful that you have a comfortable house, it is a great comfort to me, that you have and some one to look after the furnace. I went down this afternoon to call on the wife of the minister of Calvin Church. They live on Catharine north of Barton. She is quite a nice person, but I think you are much better off in Bracebridge than a city church on the outskirts. To-morrow I go out to Lynden for an afternoon meeting. I do not have to leave till 1:55 and get there at 2:39. So it will not be a fatiguing journey. It will be quite an innovation to have Dr. McKellar on Sunday a.m. in our church. Hope she will be equal to all that has been said.¹ There is much excitement about the R.K. proposals. It will be a hard matter to settle. We have no sun at all, and the dust has been very unpleasant. The tea was quite successful, Kate McR. as entertaining as usual. Mrs. Dean very smart indeed in a rose coloured dress. Both asking for you. Well, I must close. With fondest love.

Your affectionate mother

M.B. McQuesten

[P.S.] Perhaps Doctor P. means to treat you [?] as some doctors do ministers.

¹ For more on Dr. Margaret McKellar, see W6853.