Our dearest mother received your letter this morning, but being a prisoner in bed with a very heavy cold, she has asked me to write & tell you how truly sorry she is for you. She quite understands how much you owe to the Reverend Père Gezèlle - & what a kind director he has always been to you – but like a dear good child keep up your courage for our dear mother will do all she can for your future happiness, & as soon as she is well enough will writep2to you herself - & also will try and make arrangements for you to go to Bruges – You know our dear mother’s niece is at Bruges & she will be able no doubt to help in finding you a nice home -. At the English Convent they only take first class boarders, but there are other nice places; - so be very calm, & do not tell any one else, about our dear mother’s intentions - for you see dear - it might be very un-pleasant if all good Père Gezèlle’s penitents were to follow him!!!.
Influenza is very bad in many parts of England & Stone, several of us have had it with its complications of Bronchitis or Inflammation of the Lungs or Pleurisy. It is now at Stoke Convent – Sister Mary Thecla is just recovering but mother Prioress has just collapsedp3& her temperature is very high -
Sister Mary Bernard is assigned to Stone & has been ill almost since last September - Sister Clare is ill again but on the mend – She’[2] very delicate.
There are several changes amongst the Clergy. we have a new Parish Priest - whilst father Price has a whole year’s rest!! -
Father James Keating leaves Hanley next week, for Stafford instead of the late Canon Acton rest in peace Father O’Rourke is to be the priest of Hanley. Father Glancey at Acton![3] So you see all these changes make a difference. Poor Canon Acton suffered dreadfully, for a long time before his death – but was only 50 something…
Our dear mother wants you to have this by return of post with her best blessings & many thanks for your long interesting letter of Easter greetingsp4& accept every best wish from our Risen Lord from me - an old friend – I don’t forget you before our Lord in the Tabernacle & often pray for your Father & all......
Goodbye - & be very patient – for when our dear mother says a thing, she means it – As I know she will do her best for you to get near enough to Père Gezelle - so that he may still be your spiritual director & Father in Jesus Christ - .
Ordo Sancti Dominici
Our mother bids me add many thanks for the Rosaries & thanks to madame,[4] please send a card to say if the money is to be sent to you - ?