WCP329

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Feb^y. 4th. 1902

My dear Violet

Ma thinks, & so do I, that on the strength of the Doctor’s opinion you should ask the Board to allow you to have a holiday till after Easter. The Doctor will no doubt give you a formal certificate to that effect. I doubt if lying in bed all day is what you need, but gentle healthy exercise out of doors and perfect rest whenever you feel to want it. Wadhurst will, I expect set you up, with its more bracing air & country walks. I dare say Miss Debenham [2] would act as your substitute or one of the Students. Do take this seriously into consideration. The bath is in good order now & any amount of boiling can be had. NB. "Prevention is better than cure." "A stitch in time saves nine" — O.P. (old Proverbs.)¹

All the little difficulties which so alarmed you & Will² (especially Will) about "Old Orchard" title & water have been satisfactorily settled. The water will be on as soon as the weather is fine enough for me to go & see about it. We have now a large wooden workshop up with a nice little Office with a small stove in it where we can have our [3] lunch, make tea &c.

Mr. Donkin was here yesterday to settle finally a few details about the house, — which will now I think be O.K.

I completely got rid of my bronchitis in 2 or 3 weeks by keeping in the house & very warm at night. Then during the milder weather I had my hair cut, & a few days after got a sharp cold in the head, but two nights hot baths have nearly cured it.

I hope this little spell of winter is the last.

Your affectionate Pa | A. R. Wallace [signature]

This was misdirected to Charville Rd! & returned today (Saturday!).³

[4] P.S. (Saturday Morning.) no more news of importance. Very cold & with alternate frosts, snow, & thaw, so I have been at home. Work goes on all night at "Old Orchard under superintendence of Percy Curtis, who seems quite at home at his work though looking quite a boy. Excavating cellars all the week — an immense lot of stuff to get out. most of it clay which will be burnt, & make fine stuff for walks instead of gravel, & also do for concrete. but it takes a good deal of time & attention so it cannot be done yet. We have not found our sand yet but next week we shall dig for it, & I have no doubt we shall find plenty. Then the week after we shall be building the foundation walls in concrete, & concreting the floors in order to begin the house itself. I enclose a pict[ur]^e riddle sent by Will a long time ago & mislaid. — I give it up!

A.R.W.

"Kim" has been sent to Will this 3 weeks — "And Bob" will be sent when Ma has read it.⁴