Duff & Morrison Collection
“I could not centre my mind on anything until I knew for sure Lou would be home for Xmas,…” Rosa Duff, Toronto 9 Jan. 1915
211 Fern Ave.
Toronto
Jan. 9/15
Dear Lily,
Received yours of the 1st, am glad Miss Jean had such a good time Xmas day. We did not send to the children this year. All my Christmas work was a scramble.
I could not centre my mind on anything until I knew for sure Lou would be home for Xmas, then when I did get his telegram there was no time left to do anything but get ready for his coming. It made a blessed day for us, to be once more all together, and I pray God we may have such another.
We had fifteen for dinner, sixteen for tea and seventeen for supper that day. Saturday and Sunday was not much better. I told Lou he was privileged to have as many as he liked in, but we could not spare him to have a meal anywhere else.
We all wished it was a month instead of five days he could be with us, but we are very thankful for the five days.
A Mr. Brough came down with Lou (he is a sergeant also). He happened to have friends on Fern Ave. so called on us Sunday night. We were pleased to meet him, he seemed a very sensible man. We met his mother and sister the night they left for Winnipeg, his mother is more optimistic than I am. She says there is no use crossing a bridge until we come to it, the boys are having a good time in the meantime, why not we do the same, but all people are not built alike.
I am sorry you have so many Germans around you, like you I have not over much confidence in them nor have I too much confidence in the U. States. It seems to me they must be flooded with Germans there.
Well, every day passed by the boys in Canada seems one day longer before they will be ready for action, if they ever get into action. Just think of the terrible slaughter that must take place before that.
Well, I must say no more along that line.
Let me thank you here for the pretty apron you sent me. Like the tray cloth, you cannot have too many of them and I never have time to make them for myself.
We are having two days rain. It is quite mild, we are promised colder weather tonight. The girls are glad for they want to make good use of their rink tickets.
The girls would love to see Jean on skates. I am sure it will not be long before she will. She looks bright enough for anything. Well I must stop, I should be sewing but it is too dull for my eyes.
Love from all,
Rosa
• Letter 1: 30 Dec. 1914 Toronto. letter from Louis to his Aunt Lilly
• Letter 2: 9 Jan 1915 letter from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother)to Lilly
• Letter 3: 26 Feb 1915 letter from Jean to her Aunt Lily
• Letter 4 18 Apr. 1915 letter from Tot (Lily’s cousin) to Lily
• Letter 5: 29 June 1915, England. Letter from Louis to his Aunt Lily
• Letter 6: 21 Aug. 1915 England. Letter from Louis to his Aunt Lily
• Letter 7: 24 Oct. 1915 Toronto. Letter from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother)to Lily
• Letter 8: 14 Oct 1915 France. Postcard to Lily from Louis
• Letter 9: 1 Nov. 1915 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother) enclosing Louis’ lengthy letter of 11 Oct. 1915 in France
• Letter 10: 19 Nov. 1915 Belgium. Letter to Lily from Louis plus enclosure for his niece Jean
• Letter 11: 6 Dec. 1915 Belgium. Letter to Lily from Louis
• Letter 12: 7 Jan. 1916 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother)expressing her worry over Lou’s silence
• Letter 13: 10 Feb. 1916 Toronto. letter to Lily from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother) with the cable explaining Lou has been wounded and will be in hospital in England two months
• Letter 14: 11 Feb 1916 England. Letter to Lily from Lou about his skull fracture from shrapnel
• Letter 15: 18 Feb. 1916 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Jessie
• Letter 16: 8 Mar. 1916 Winnipeg. Letter to Lily from Cecil Duff, Lou’s brother
• Letter 17: 16 Apr. 1916 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Harry Richey, Lily’s brother