November 12, 1909

Lac Beauce

Dear Margaret

I am writing just a note to say I received your letter this morning.  With it being so nice and long I was doubly pleased.  I am enclosing my cheque which I just received. It is quite small as they have cut out the board allowance since I am staying at the residency.  Have heard nothing of the talked of changes.I also received your earlier letter and noted what you said about talking to Herbert. I have been thinking the matter over and hardly know what to write him. And I also think he might take offence at being talked to about his earning. If you see him shortly, you might quiz him quietly and see what he says.  Now about glasses for Flora. I think if they have an eye specialist in Sherbrooke you should go there as the expense would be less than going to Montreal. In the matter of funds to pay for glasses, I will not have any money before I get my next check as I am sending Mr.Crombie his interest this month. So you see, I am trying to square off my bills the best I can. I am asking Mr. Crombie to send me a receipt, so when you get it, file it away.  I see by the paper that you are using Mr. Carmichael well by presenting him with a quilt just before winter.

You asked about me coming for the 26^th, which hardly seems likely, because I could not come and stay for St. Andrew's without losing my time which is unwise as there is so much unrest in the Residency.  Keep me posted about St. Andrew's.  Just another thought. 

You must have hit Uncle Alec hard when you mentioned about 'milking cows and making fires' and when you said St-Paul has been dead a long time and there have been many changes in the world since St. Paul's time. I think women's suffrage is one of the changes that will happen in the near future. Too absurd to think that a woman cannot exercise her franchise  with as much intelligence as some of the male sex. And that they are making this so hard is so many countries when you have to drag some of these supposedly intelligent men to the polls as you would cattle.  I think ladies taking an interest in politics could study out which side to take.  I am giving you this speech as an extra.

Norman