Toronto,
April 24th, 1917

Dear Jay,

I meant to write to you sooner but could find no note-paper. I have not found any yet as you may guess from this but I could wait no longer. It is not because I have so much to say but because in a letter from you which came yesterday you surmised that I must have forgotten you I was so long in writing. Of course you knew better but I want to make quite sure of the fact that I haven't. Well my exams are over at last and jolly I am glad. They weren't half so rotten as I expected but it remains to be seen whether or not I get through. I have been rather too tired to enjoy my freedom from lectures yet but I anticipate a good time later on. The weather has been spring like lately and it is high near time for it will soon be the first of May. Grace & the children found a few hepaticas last Sunday morning. I wish I could go for a stroll on the pond bank at home next Sunday, the flowers must be thick there now. On Sunday afternoon Uncle Dan took us all over the city in his car. We saw the returned men and some of the militia parade to service in St. Paul's in memory of St. Julien and then we went to the zoo and saw the elephants, monkeys, etc. If they could only bottle the atmosphere in the animal house these warm days and send it to France I think it would make grand gas bombs. When we get home from our ride we found Charlie Pawling, his wife and stepdaughter at home. Some step daughter - about a head taller than I with nice rosy cheeks and only fifteen - Annabel by name. She is very nice and we were glad to see them. She thinks you are the nicest looking in the family. This may not be much of a compliment but it is the best I can do at present. Then Anna and Irene came down after tea. Anna had a pass for the Regent given to her and she took mother with her last night. Blanche and I are going to the Y.W.C.A. some night this week for a swim - we want to get in practice for the summer. I wish I could learn to dive, but so far haven't made much progress. I am taking a film to be developed tonight so there will be some pictures for your next letter I hope. I don't know whether they will be any good but I shall take some more soon. We have a fire in the grate tonight for it is rather chilly. I love to hear the wood crackle and watch the flames. I wonder if you are sitting at a fire now or if you are in the trenches. The papers report hard fighting this morning along the Scarpe and in the vicinity of [?]. I wonder if you are in it. I am thinking you have your work cut out for you this summer. Our school nurse has volunteered for overseas service and will likely be accepted. Some people have all the luck. If only I had the chance to go I am sure I would make a splendid V.A.D. at least if I had plenty of wadding to plug my ears and carried a few weights to keep me from jumping too high when the guns were firing. Do you remember how I used to spend my 24th of May in a back room with a pillow on each ear and how you boys used to delight in firing and occasional firecracker near me - just to see the performance. I had a letter from Arthur yesterday. He is in the Convalescent Depot at Epsom recovering from his pneumonia. He said he had received a letter from you so I presume you have heard from him too. Bruce has gone up to drill tonight. He said that the other night there were only three privates and about twenty non-coms. My young hopefuls are as full of life as ever. Willie Vincent, who you may remember, is only half there, came in early today noon and said, "Teacher, I have good news for you - my uncle is coming home." I haven't yet discovered just how I am supposed to benefit by his uncle's return but I am sure I hope that Willie may. I must close now and take this out to the mail. I hope we get another letter soon and that you are getting all your mail and your boxes.

Heaps of love,
Violet

The enclosed jokes were brought by one of the little girls in my class. I thought I would pass them on. V.E.M.