The 'Correspondence' Affair #34 - November 1, 1913 (Millicent to Alexander)

[avirra.livejournal.com]

From : Thun, Switzerland

November 1, 1913

My dearest Alexander,

First, let me tell you that I have been receiving your postcards and letters. I enjoyed the story behind your family and would very much like to meet them should the opportunity ever present itself.

I feel a bit uneasy after seeing the recent newspapers from home. You were gone during it, but there were a series of horrible incidents that they are referring to as 'Black Week'. You will probably have already heard of it, but I will go ahead and make mention of it as it is so thoroughly in my thoughts at this time.

It apparently started on October 10. The ship Volturno caught fire during a storm while in route to New York. Reports vary, but apparently between 130 and 136 died - but the majority of the deaths were not from the fire, but from the lifeboats being launched incorrectly and causing the deaths of all of the women and children that were aboard them. Four days later, there was a massive mine explosion in Wales near Cardiff. The death toll from that is over four hundred. And then, the next day in Liverpool, two express trains collided.

Perhaps it is all coincidence, but with so much unrest, I cannot but wonder just how accidental these events were. I suppose I am just feeling paranoid. I do hope that I will hear soon that you are safely home. At any rate, the incident with the Volturno combined with the Titanic has quite squashed my desire to make an ocean voyage to New York for the time being.

I appreciate that you are thinking of seeing to Mother's grave for me. It has always bothered me that I do not even know precisely where it is, let alone the condition it is in. I don't expect or insist that the accoutrements of her grave be lavish, but I want them to be decent enough that no-one passing by thinks she died a pauper.

As you may well be called away again before the holidays arrive, I am going ahead and sending your Christmas present to make sure that you should have it before the day. It does not seem that Christmas is next month already. This year seems to have gone by as a blur somehow.

As with last year, the majority of the young ladies here will be heading to their homes for the Christmas holidays. If you should ever find yourself in this part of the world during the season, I do hope you will find time to drop in. The company would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, I cannot recall if I mentioned it or not, but I believe I will be trying to take up further studies in the Arabic tongue. I suppose you can justifiably blame Lawrence's influence for that decision. Speaking of languages, I must close for now. I promised to help Ermengarde with her French lesson.

Always yours,

Millicent

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Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Great historical references here, and just a note: I watch Lawrence of Arabia again, (I've lost count) "F

[avirra.livejournal.com]

*g* Thank you. Out of curiosity, does it mess with your mental image of Lawrence to know he was only five foot five instead of Mister O'Toole's six foot plus? (heck - I'm taller than Lawarence was *l*)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Doesn't register to me at all. Even though O'Toole is tall, I've never paid attention to that fact. And now knowing now that Lawrence was only an inch taller than me? Enh. The height thing doesn't bother me.

Now with the new UNCLE movie...and Armie Hammer towering over Cavill, THAT'S going to bug me. LOL!

[avirra.livejournal.com]

To me, that's bad casting *shrug*. Casting a tall Illya is like casting a skinny Nero Wolfe - just doesn't sync up.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think the majority of us are on board with that feeling, but that's Guy Ritchie for your. I hated what he did with Sherlock Holmes too.