My dearest Calvin,

Have just received your letter. I always like to have it on Friday, in case there is anything to reply to. We have all been anxious this week, owing to the report from some correspondent in England that Gourlay Colquhoun's body was found in the trench with severe wounds. Of course the poor Colquhouns were worried to death with telephones of inquiring, but as Mrs. C. had no official report, she did not wish to believe it, and yesterday word from Ottawa said it was not known officially. Will send you a Herald; there is a letter to you from Sergt. Maj. Higgins. Yesterday I called on the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, they are a Scotch couple, he is quite a scholarly man with very good manner, who has been out at Rossland B.C. and several other places in the West and is quite discouraged. At Rossland "One would need to be an Alpine climber," and in small places with several churches, one felt one's self altogether wasted. People did not want you at all and let you know it. Now he is trying to get pupils for languages. There is no doubt the ministry is a place of great self sacrifice. Afterwards called at Mrs. Thomson's they were inquiring for you. Mr. Leitch tells Mary, that a trolley line runs to Buckingham, as it is a summer resort. Does it go in the summer? That would be a great help in reaching you. Mr. Ketchen has gone to see his father and I believe is exchanging with Mr. Harper Gray of St. Andrews next Sunday.

Thomas has been going round to township meetings on the Water question, they want water and the city wants them to look after their own drain down the mountain; he has been out three nights, twice over the mountain. Have been fitting a new hat, but it is so small, have scarcely got reconciled to it. Hilda has been on the steady go all week, she writes. One day to the James, another to the Whittemores, to-day going with Sydney Stevenson out to see Helen Luces and to-morrow a great parade of troops. Last Friday afternoon spent with Mrs. Logie, of course she is much excited about all the Colonel's doings. The great worry is the fear of Meningitis, but we hear no more of it lately. It is such a terrible disease. M.[Mary], E.[Edna] and I spent Thursday afternoon with Mrs. Bell, she has just returned from a visit to Herbert, which she enjoyed immensely, but was nearly killed with kindness and American food. It is certainly amazing how they can live at all on the trash, which they serve up as dainties. For instance at a Sunday night supper, sour potato salad with whipped cream on top. Edna has just been out taking the manure off the snow drops &c. They began to come out this week, they were out last week at Mrs. Colquhouns. By the way, Calvin, Tom has just been saying you must arrange for a good holiday, go to the Panama Exhibition or somewhere. I can give you what you need. If it wasn't for the war you could go to Britain. Well, I must close now with love from all.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten