TRANSCRIPTION:
Clyde Cottages
Kennington
Ashford, Kent
Nov 8th of 27
My dear Edith,
My sister Kittie sent me your message some time ago that I owe you a letter, even if I did not owe you one I think it is about time I wrote to you.
Now Kittie is in S. Africa we do not get any or at least very little news of you & your family. I was very sorry to hear of your Fathers illness I trust he is improving & gaining strength, it is an anxious time for you all. How is your Mother & your brothers & sisters & their families? Especially John & his wife & dear little Joan John & Baby, we have seen their photos & seem to know more of them. I am sending the little [illeg.] a book with my love -
What a very sad year this has been for our sisters Kittie & Madge, poor girls! I am afraid life will never be the same for either of them again, they having both lost so much it is good for them to be together so they will help each other if only Kittie need not go back to New Zealand & be alone again, but they say she must go & she likes your climate better than either this or S. Africa & as we say she knows better than we do what is the best thing for her to do. I expect you heard that John had been laid up for months in the Spring with [illeg.] in the right leg & foot, he is a great deal stronger & with the help of proper surgical books is able to go to the [illeg.] house each day.
Kennington, the side near Ashford is being altered & spoilt beyond recognition.
houses right the way from Ashford to Buston Farm & now a new road is being made near the old Golf Links, gas & electric light is being installed so far our pretty lane has escaped. You will remember the Pratts where you [illeg.] stayed. The old lady is dead & Miss Pratt has gone to live in S. Ashford with a sister who takes care of her. There are new people living in Eastwell Park. Sir John & Lady Pennyfather – the old Mansion was demolished & a Tudor style of house [illeg.] & [illeg.] every modern
[illeg.] built on the side it took two years in building & is the [illeg.] beautifully fitted up & furnished, we have not seen anything of the new owners.
Mary has been home for the week end [sic]. Half term, she is old enough to leave school but I let her stay on as it gives her some thing to do, she cannot learn at all or look after herself but she is a big girl & can be a very [illeg.] girl, it is a great disappointment & anxiety to me but I have much to be thankful for that she is not [illeg.].
I must close now dear with love & best wishes to you & yours for Christmas & then New Year: if you ever come to England again do not forget that a hearty [illeg.] awaits you here.
Thank you too dear & will you also thank Mr & Mrs Jack for all your kindness to our [illeg.] when she was in such sad troubles
Yours affectionately
Emily J Barker