| | | 10 July |
Shanghai
Sunday, July 10th 5:45 a.m.
Dear Papa,
I am momentarily expecting Mrs Low's boy to call for me & scribble off a few lines while waiting to tell you of my safe arrival, so that I may send it by first steamer. We had a smooth passage but very foggy, which accounts for delay. We should have been in yesterday at noon, instead of which we put in at 11:30p.m. I went to bed & was quite disgusted when 15 minutes after Mrs L's boy appeared. I told him to return this morning at six. It is hot but not unbearable & the breeze is cool.
The Captain has been kind & attentive but the time slows as you can imagine. It seems at least a week since I left you. How are you & Mama? Take good care of yourself & don't run about too much in the hot sun & don't worry about me.
With love & kisses to both
Yrs H.M.H.
20 Foochow Rd.
Dear Papa,
I find that the mail does not close until tomorrow, so I have time to add a few lines. Mr. Low came himself to meet me this morning & both he & Mrs Low have been most warm & kind in their welcome. They had already heard rumors of my engagement to Brandt & were therefore not surprised, but Mrs. L. seems disposed to help me with what I have to do & we have been talking chiffons a good deal. She says that the tailors can make perfectly after a pattern without trying on. So please send me Mamma's red waist trimming with black guipure32, which fits her best, I think, by return mail. It will fold into small compass without injury & will come safely in a thick paper. Then give me the measure in inches from the waist to bottom of the shirt in front & behind also around hips over petticoat not dress. I should have brought them with me but that I did not think it possible to do without trying one.
I have an invitation from Mme Vissiére(French Consul General's wife) for the evening of the 14th. This afternoon we drive out to a Mrs Flotheow to tea. She is a very nice German I believe. I begin work tomorrow but the dentist cannot see me before Wednesday -- he kept his time for me last week & is now engaged. Mr. Lamson main soupirant is here & anxious to see me. He asked Mr. Low confidentially & with much interest if it were true that I was engaged & would he please let him know if he could. The weather looks uncertain & is not at all oppressive tho' very damp.
One or two people are dining here to meet me on Wednesday, so altogether I am petted & quite comfortable.
Don't forget Mamma's dress.
Ever afftly
H.M.H.
| | | 10 July |