Extracts from a letter from FER (Mary’s mother) on 13th April, 1933. The rest is all about a family wedding and not relevant.
Well Maria, best beloved, we got your telegram about your return in the first week of June, duly at George’s wedding, and your subsequent letter, telling of the various possibilities and pros and cons, but by that time we knew the decision from the telegram. It was clever of you to get the telegram there at the right time. As we drove along on the way there I said, “I wonder if Mary is thinking of us now” and felt sure you were if you had got the information by then about the wedding being on the 8th, and when I was shown the telegram I saw you had been.
By the way, Cecilia Goodenough’s address is Fort St John and her railway station is Edmonton, but Fort St John is 60 miles ride from Edmonton, so I’m afraid she’s a bit ungettatable. However, Cousin Margaret thought she might possibly manage to come to Edmonton to see you, - only I expect she would want you to see her Mission and its surroundings. As you are really at the same job you might like to meet, but you will just arrange it or not as you can.
Your letter of 24th from Fairmont Hotel was the one telling of your probably or possible moves – and your intention to go on with this work indefinitely. And of course I perfectly agree with it. I can imagine no work more useful to others or satisfying to oneself, and as you fortunately have just a little money to keep body and soul together you may be thankful that you are really free to do it. I shall love to see you again and talk about everything and I think of you very, very often, but it is with a warm feeling of content that you are doing what you are. You say you are very happy in a calm sort of way – and I am so glad to hear that – for up to now your happinesses and unhappinesses have been too un-calm on the whole I think. Calmness is what you want – and calmness based on something that can’t be unduly shaken by passing events.
Ever your very loving
Mother
English