Nesta Rossiter
CXXVIII
Emily Goodyer to Nesta Rossiter
Dear Madam,—I have read your letter several times and I have shown it to Mr. Urible. We both feel the same about it; we feel that we have waited long enough, especially Bert with all the dreadful things in Mesopotamia to put up with, the thermometer sometimes being over 120 and sometimes below freezing in a few hours. But we want to do what is right and what Mr. Urible suggests with his respects to you Madam is that we should be married as soon as possible, as arranged, but that, until you come back in three months or before, I should continue to be the children’s nurse by day. Mr. Urible is taking over Parsons’s shop and garden in the village and we should live there. There are three nice rooms and a good kitchen and scullery, and no doubt a neighbour will cook Bert’s meals for him. Dear Madam we are very wishful to oblige you but Mr. Urible feels that after all he has been through in Mesopotamia it isn’t right that he should be kept waiting any longer.—I am, yours respectfully,
Emily Goodyer
CXXIX
Herbert Urible to Nesta Rossiter
Dear Madam, Mrs. Rossiter,—Pray excuse me writing but I wish you to understand my position with regard to Miss Goodyer, who has been a good nurse to your children. It is not as selfish as you think. Miss Goodyer and I were to have married four years ago but then came the conscription and it was impossible. While I was away she promised to marry me directly there was Peace, but I couldn’t get demobbed till a little while ago, which means further delay, and now she says that you have asked her to put me off again. Pray pardon me, dear madam, but I don’t think this is fair of you, or that it shows the right feeling for a soldier who comes out of the War a good deal worse off than he went in. While I have been away fighting for my country my business has gone to other people and now I am asked to wait longer for my wife. Pardon me, madam, but I don’t think it is fair. A man has his feelings and rights.
Awaiting your reply,—I am, yours respectfully,