Richmond July 26, 1911

Dear Norman,

Your letter to Edith also one to Marion came in last night's mail. I was glad to see snap shot of you. We all thought you looked very comfortable in a Morris chair. You seem to have a comfortable looking room and that Mr. McKechnie is quite a nice looking young man. We were all over at the Skinners as it was raining and he got our mail, so they all had a look at it. We have been having rather cool weather lately just as you speak of there. Monday it was so cool in the dining room that we had our meals in the kitchen. The garden looks well. We have had peas, beans, and beets. The corn looks fine. We have not tasted our potatoes. Clayton's are using theirs. We have plenty of old ones.  I like them better. We have managed to keep the lawn looking well but the weeds in the gravel are almost as bad as when you came home last summer. I got Stanley one day for a little while he has promised to come and as it but that is over a week ago and has not come. He finds that harder than the lawn. And I don't want the girls to try it as they have sewing to do.  I've taken your plan and am taking turns about the house work. Marion and I were on duty in the kitchen last week. This week Edith and Flora have charge of the kitchen and they get up and make the fires. I don't dare go down to breakfast until I am called. I was telling them I would not go away for this was change enough for me. It is just two months today since you left Montreal. Has the time seemed long? I am glad you got Herb's letter. Dr. Skinner will be going west in about six weeks. He will try and see him. Sophia Nicholson is out in Flodden. I hear she is going to Edmonton in a few weeks. She will likely give us a call. Aunt Christie has not returned from Boston yet. I hear she is coming with Annie last of the month.  Last Friday Dr. and Miss Skinner took Edith and Marion to Newport VT. Left here at 8 30 and were there for dinner in Sherbrooke for tea, back home at 10. 30 pm.  Going a distance of one hundred forty five miles all in one day don't you think that was pretty good motoring. They were back very tired, especially Edith.

I am enclosing a letter Mr. Rothney wrote. Mr. Carmichael and Ed Cleveland was sure that Flora had passed when they saw what high marks she took but we have not heard although Cleveland wrote away about if so she has made application to enter Macdonald and thinks she would take the French as Mr. Rothney suggests. She can go with Marion when she starts. They may have to go a day or two earlier. When the marks are printed, will send them to you.  You would see by the papers that Mr. Rothney has got Mr. JB Hewton's place he will live in Rd. and have a principal to take his place but will have an oversight for this year.

I am quite busy trying to get Flora's things into shape. She is not looking very well, but seems to have a good appetite. I got her bottle medicine at least Edith is taking it, what Moffat ordered for Edith last fall. Hope it will do them both good. Marion is looking well. I hope you are feeling well. Write soon. Yours with much love,
Margaret.