853 Nassau
St. Winnipeg. Can.
June 14.17

My dear Will,

Thursday morn, 10 a.m. housework all done, & us all tidied up and writing this letter before starting to sew. We have been having some weather lately - a good heavy thunder shower on Friday, I think, at noon then hot & windy, and on Monday a regular rain. My it did pour and kept showering, up till today. It is clear & so cold. Billy went out to play but came in nearly crying with his hands cold. The last 3 days we have had ourselves shut up in the kitchen with a fire on - & the machine at sewing. I was real greedy for the soft water, but am supplied now, tho' I got wet to the skin. The tank & barrel are full (My it was good I started on my barrel for it was just soaked up in time). The bath tub is full - the two tubs, the old "ashes" wash boiler - water pail 2 pots, reservoir & two toilet jugs. It's dandy to have so much - I have my wool blankets & some quilts to wash, so can use up the "odds" & sods with that. Besides doing me the good turn, it also saved the crops I guess: If it only does not freeze now. I put the plants out & let them get a good wash, & later moved them inside, it got so cold. The garden has lots of weeds but the most of the things are not up yet. I hope the high wind did not blow the seed away. Shirley got over her measles easily - did not stay at home from school. We did not tell any one. She was outside all the time. They don't keep them in, only you are supposed to keep them home from school 8 days. It was just like prickly leaf. Billy will be taking them before long (14 days I think) I am enclosing a clipping re. patriotic money. We may get $2.ºº a month more - can stand it to. I don't ever seem to get enough ahead "to bury me". I am saving for the $77.- Insurance and here yesterday I got a bill for $52.ºº. Interest on the mortgage. I have $53.ºº on hand & expect my Emerson chk today for 14.ºº making $64.ºº. Then $84.ºº to come end of June, makes $151.ºº. I have to pay $5.ºº to Rose. $ 2.ºº to Western Baptist, $7.50 phone, $2.50 water & lights = $17.ºº. So to the end of June I have on hand $151.ºº and paying $52.ºº & $14.ºº ($69.ºº) - leaves $82.ºº. Then $84.ºº (Likely $86.ºº) For July, makes $168.ºº and paying out $77.ºº Insurance, leaves $91.º° So I guess we can make it. One thing, paying ½ the interest now, makes only half, to pay at Xmas. So I should have the $91.ºº - less living expenses - at the end of July - and no more big bills till Jan 1st only $33.90 Ins & $25.ºº (or a little more) taxes, & then $32.ºº interests.

Surely we'll get a bit banked during the fall. We are spending scarcely any only for [?] - this good while. I told you all I spend on the children & house - & I have not got anything for myself, but 2 waists ($3.50 & shoes $2.ºº). I am not going to get any new clothes now - only a white skirt - about $2.ºº or less for I want to get some in the bank. I'm always nervous when the cash is low for fear of sickness or anything. I have not counted that $125.ºº in England, you notice, for I have not got it, not any word of it yet. I am anxiously waiting to hear that you have investigated it over there, For there is nothing I can do here. I hope you get back of it - very strange what they could have done with it. I hope no other "Mayse" got it here, but if it was made to E.E.I don't suppose there are 2 that name. I guess they never sent it over. You likely have seen about it before this. So much for our finances. I am watching the ads - and when it fares up again - or I hear from Hattie - I will put in an ad. It might be as well to wait till Aug - after the heat - perhaps get some Normal students. I believe I'll start now, & write to any school people (Miss Graham at Basswood etc.) & speak for 2 for Sept 1st charge them $4.50 a wk & let them take their lunch to school.

Well, we women are turning out to register for voters this week. Mertie & I were going yesterday but it was too wet so we, shall likely go today - just up at the corner of Rosedale & Osborne. I have not got down street yet - so wet, and I want to take my checks. It will delay your box another few days. I'll have to go twice - to get the things to put in it, and then to mail it. I intended to say, speaking of finances, that we are supplied with butter & eggs for about the next 3 months - have a whole sack of sugar - & 2 of flour. I believe milk has been going up lately too.

Shirley has just one more week, then holidays. She does not like getting up in the mornings tho' I leave her till 8 exactly every morning. Billy sleeps late now too. When school closes I'll let them sleep as long as they like. (Postman - & my cheque. They must be going to continue sending it - I hope so.)

I told you about my trouble with Stanley. I am right after the little beggar now. Of course he has not been out for a few days. I won't let him in the yard. Billy & the 2 kids from Woods' play days & never a quarrel, & that kid is not in 5 minutes till they are into it. My he's a mean little specimen - & the more I think of his dad's doings, the madder I feel. I am going to shut down on being or trying to be Friendly. They (He anyway) is nice & sensible, but I will keep them posted on what Stanley does around the front here. I know they all want to be friendly along - all have been in to phone - as this is the only one along here. I told Mrs. Foreman to come in anytime - for she has the 2 babies, & she is so nice about it. But there is a man has called Mr. Faulkner twice - simply asks. "May I speak to Mr. F.) & the very next time he does it. I will say "Mr. F. does not live here," & if he gives his number - or at least if he asks me to get him, I'll ask for his number & tell him. I'll try to let him know. Mr. F. would be inclined to "run on one." Here the soldiers wife down part the alley was sick. all last week & alone. Mrs. Faulkner told me, so before bedtime, I thankful I'd stroll past & if I saw her ask how she was & if I could do anything for her. I saw her & she was complaining, about no one seeing her. & how she had friend on Jessie St. but could not get them word & I told her if she sent Joe to tell me I'd have phoned for him or if she wanted to come up & phone her all right I did not mind. I also asked if she'd like a taste of chocolate cake or ginger snaps that that was all I had that I could think of but she said no - but before I left the girl - over 4 -was yelling out the window over her head ( I was on the verandah) - "I want some of that cake" (she didn't get it) Then bright & early Monday morning - Madame was up phoning to her "modiste" re a such you can't be decently friendly with most people She asked me to visit her but I said I did not visit I wont even go to Foremans - tho' they asked me and now I am going to "[?] up" more & more.

I see Percy Hardman (only they have it H. instead of P) is listed as "killed, previously missing" in yesterday's Albert is still in England Mrs. Start says. I'll be glad if she sends in your chunk of cake, when Bella comes - so it can go in your next box. I shall have to make a big one, for you, & just keep it for your boxes. I wont have any this time unless I buy a block.

I was thinking of you last night as we crawled into our snug bed, - wondering if it was cold and wet there - where do you sleep - can you not tell any of that? It is a great "burden" all the time thinking & thinking - These wet days - I have thought I'd have to shut up the place - & make for Ruby's I do hope you are well and that it will soon be over. Oh, I see in yesterday's that Germany says in 2 months England will be "powerless" What does that mean? Also, a big air raid on London - the worst yet. My its awful - when one gets thinking of it all. There is an "alarming increase in insanity" in this country I see too - caused by the war. It will be a long time before things are put right again. We can only work & hope & pray and I do pray for your safety and a speedy end to the war. Is there any hope of an end this year- do you think. I'll stop for his time Shirley wrote hers a day or so ago. God bless & Keep you safe: love & Kisses from us all. Oh, the last little photos turned out fine the girls say - so we'll be ending some soon.
Betty XXXX
{E. Mayse.