WCP6572

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Dorset.

Nov[ember] 6th 1913.

Confidential.

Dear Mr Marchant,

It was indeed kind of you to offer to assist us in any way and to undertake to deal with the Press. Very many thanks from us all.

I have a little more leisure now so I will tell you briefly what has happened. My father had an attack of ague¹ on Sunday evening [2] [p. 2] but seemed better when he was in bed. Next day he had several more attacks & in the evening we called in the doctor. The latter seemed not to think it serious & told us to give him plenty of brandy. Next day (Tuesday) he seemed very sleepy & he remained in bed all the morning dozing, a most unusual thing, so we called the doctor again & he took a very serious view of the case as his pulse was so weak & his breathing spasmatic[?]. He remained half asleep all day & during the night was very [3] [p. 3] restless. In the evening the Doctor said his condition was very critical & that the end might come at any time.

He administered a stimulant which seemed to have a good effect but we did not expect him to live through the night. Next morning (Wednesday) he was in the same condition & was very restless & weak all day. In the evening a nurse came to relieve us & the doctor injected morphine so that he went to sleep & had a very good night & has [4] [p. 4] slept nearly all today. His pulse & breathing are both good now, but he is only semi-conscious. The doctor now is not so certain, as he has raillied so wonderfuly & he thinks there is some slight hope of him getting better for a time at ^{at any rate.}

I have told you this so that you may know what to say to any Press men — but of course we do not want these details published. Of course my father is still in a very critical condition but he has surprised us so often I shall not be astonished if he really does get better. But we are prepared for the worst. At the moment he is sleeping, apparently quite normally.

Excuse² this badly written & badly[?] composed letter.

With many thanks | yours sincerely | W. G. Wallace [signature]