The Conscientious Objector's Wife by Kate Macdonald

Author:Kate Macdonald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Handheld Press
Published: 2018-06-11T11:39:23+00:00

11 Fort Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon

May 21 st [1918]

My dear Frank

I am writing this on the sands at Instow. The children are having a glorious time. There are 9 of them with us, Auntie Claudia & two other aunties. We came on the workman’s train from Barnstaple at 8.13. The tide is just coming in, 12 o clock now, it goes out a long [way] and leaves a long stretch of sands just opposite in Appledore & a little higher up is Bideford. I never saw such a lovely place. Dora is hoping to bathe presently with Carl, they will never forget the lovely time they are having in Devonshire. Chrissie has just come up to me so hot & undressed all but comb[ination]s & knickers, of course the other children have had to do the same, what freedom, how shocked our mothers or grandmothers would be.

Now a new excitement has occurred, an airship has passed into view, and after being watched and admired, has gone round the hills and disappeared. Yesterday being Bank Holiday this place was crowded, it is called ‘Babyland’. Now I have come over, it will have to be often, the fare is 8d return workman.109 Mrs Buckingham took tickets first, has asked for 2 and 4 children workman the man said the fare is all the same, we haven’t child labour yet, you are looking into the future. Yesterday we picnic’d all day into the woods, it only wants you to make our stay here just perfect. I have sent a card to Katie from here, I am wondering how they are after the terrible raid they had on Sunday night, and I was in safety here enjoying the lovely night and the moon, thinking of you. Mrs Middleton says you feel sad at the distance between us, is this so? I do not feel any further away than I was at Letchworth, in fact my spirit is really nearer and I do hope you feel it so. Of course we both long for your freedom the more that one of us is enjoying such freedom.

The children are now completely undressed except for a pair of knickers each and Morris, Chrissie’s thin vest made into a bathing suit, they are having a time of their lives; talk about the water babies, you would just love it. I am sure you will be glad to know about this and to know we are thinking of you every moment. This holiday is going to renew my youth and make me look forward with greater wish to the future holidays we intend to have together, I might be for ever drudging – to what end after all – and I have nearly got over the shock I had such a little while ago. Now all that seems like a dream. Sometimes I live it over again, and endure agonies, but it passes quicker than it did.

Miss Jefferies has written to Mrs Middleton that she ‘has a concern to go and see you’.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.