January 25, 1909
Kelowna, B. C.
My dearest Kathleen,
I don’t think you will get much of a letter this week as I don’t seem to have done anything worth writing about, so if this is very dull, please excuse.
I went to the “Meadows” to spend the weekend with the Thompson tribe, where I haven’t been for some months except for that surprise party I told you about. What was left of Sunday after breakfasting about 11:00 o’clock was spent either doing abstruse puzzles or bear fighting, with frequent meals to keep one’s strength up. The Mallams and two others turned up for supper so there were twelve of us, about eight of whom helped with the washing up afterwards; and then we played ping-pong till the only ball got smashed and so to bed. I left early on Monday and drove downtown and went on the warpath collecting money from various delinquents who have bought hay etc. from me and who don’t want to pay. I had quite a successful morning. I hope to have all my bills payed off before I come home, which won’t be so bad as last year was somewhat expensive and I had made no special preparations, for the previous year I spent most of my spare money in town lots and then came home in the winter, neither of which things tend to swell one’s bank account. I discovered this morning that mine totalled up to the vast sum of £40. Wouldn’t that give your various guardians all kinds of fits? It isn’t so bad as it sounds, dear, and I have hopes of keeping the wolf from the door for a little bit longer yet.
Powell started talking about the spring work at supper tonight and asking if I was going to do various things that I had talked of, so I told him that they would probably be postponed as I had an idea of spending the summer in England; and then I asked him if he would stay on and I am glad to say he will. I really don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t, as this country isn’t like England where you can take your choice of all kinds and it isn’t easy to find a man who not only knows what to do and how to do it but also does it and does it very carefully. I am most awfully keen to show you this place. I think it will be awfully nice when you come out. Last summer everything was under construction so I haven’t seen it at its best myself yet.
I am sorry that Mr. Chappell’s well-meant but misplaced remarks should have scared you off the Warwickshire Hounds [see Kathleen–January 6, 1909]. Be brave and try again. It is so easy to be brave at this distance.
Tuesday. I put up a little more ice today, not as much as I want but all I can get unless we get another spell of real cold weather.
I am thinking of getting venetian blinds for the dining room and sitting room. They seem to be the best for this country where you get so much sun, as you can set them to let all the light in and yet keep the sun out, which though out of place at this time of year is very handy in the summer. I do wish you were here. I really couldn’t get along without you much longer. Without you in the near future I should feel absolutely lost now. I do love you, you know, nothing else in my life seems to have any importance at all compared with that.
With all my love, dear,
Yours always,
Robin