| Description | Letter from Amelia Nyasa Laws, Hotel Beau Site, Chamonix, Haute Savoie, France, to her parents, regarding pleasant days; thanks for letters; one has been delayed in Rome, possibly because it contained details about trouble in Fife; mention of troubles of Mrs. Chisholm and Maisie in Africa; Mrs. Mackenzie harmonised a native tune in the latest 'Record', and Amelia is critical; Uncle is critical of the writing in the 'Livingstonia News'; people should not dabble in music and literature; Annie McGregor, née Brown, has at last written; she seems to be in aw of Amelia who is the only one with power to check her; she seems very happy as a minister's wife in Greenock; manse life is terrible, with the congregation having to be 'wheedled by social calls', and military chaplains will not want to settle down to that after experiencing real life at the front; Annie's husband seems to be a good man and was probably instrumental in healing the breach between them; Amelia reflects on her birthday; if she had been a man she would have volunteered last summer; instead she has been hoping for some other sphere to open for her; they should really have gone home for the summer, but Uncle is in the habit of being obeyed and will not be changed now; she and Aunt are now much recovered and relaxed; Amelia should be working, being trained for work and for massage; Dr. Brock and Nurse Curtiss would have helped her train; Mr. Cotterill wants to volunteer despite his age, but his relatives hold him back; relatives always hold people back; 'the day is past for women to remain within allotted boundaries'; Uncle no longer considers her bound to Rome; Mr. Green could find a post for her as organist in England; this will be the last winter she will spend in Rome; Uncle thinks that life can be boiled down to 'a lesson in patience'; Uncle might retire in January 1917 (at the beginning of his 50th. year of ministry) but he could well delay as usual if there is nothing specific wrong; she would regret leaving Aunt but Aunt has learned to limit Uncle's demands on her time and energies; Aunt Amy prophesied years ago that all her generation would end up living together with Amelia looking after them, and she could not bear that; if she goes home she could at least provide a refuge for Aunt if necessary; Amelia has made her decision, but has not mentioned it to Aunt Amy yet. |