2110-1-10-10

[1902]

Maison [Negeib?] Eid

Tewfikieh

31st May

My dearest John

This is to let you know that your auld and tried freend has been passing through the furnace and through the deep waters. In other words I have been laid up for a fortnight, with a villainous attack of liver and indigestion, and on an invigorating diet of - one glass of milk every three hours varied with doses of calomel pills. The doctor was kind enough to say that my inside was fair whammled up, and that I must have had indigestion for ten years without knowing it, from the evidence of my tongue. Fancy going through life nursing

further advance in So[uth] African prospects. I should willingly leave tomorrow if I got word & expect to have a letter from you by the Monday mail.

Meanwhile I have got leave from the Ministry to go home three weeks before the usual time. That gives me about 4 months holiday. I intend starting this day week sailing all the way. So I could really leave any moment (once I had raised the funds) if necessary. A letter to the old howff Dumfries Left Luggage Office, i.e. Killyleoch Dunscore will find me for the next three months. The only thing is there is some regulation about giving three months notice here and I suppose they could legally

compel to me to conform. But I could talk Dunlop over that I dare say. I am really very anxious to get away from this place as soon as I can since besides the unexciting nature of the work, and the poor prospects of promotion, the climate especially in summer does not suit me at all. So I wrastle with the Lord daily that I may be delivered out of the Land of Egypt and the house of bondage. But before this letter reaches you I expect I shall have heard something definite from you one way or another.

I read your article on the Land Settlement in the National with great interest. Also one in Blackwood on the Veldt, which though unsigned I know could come from no other hand but yours. I myself have had a great burst of literary activity lately. Have begun to resurrect J. Sharpe and have written two Scotch stories Yours ever J. Edgar.

an interesting disease without ever knowing of it. "Methinks it is my long-lost brother!" Here is the explanation of those unaccountable fits of seediness which used to make me fall asleep in the middle of the forenoon at Oxford and wake up to find you pommeling me! Well the doctor thinks I can get it cured in six months with careful living and a sea voyage. Luckily it does not affect my work as I feel better now than I have done for months in spite of the fact that I have never [sett-crossed out] stirred forth (vide J S) of the house for a fortnight and have dropped 2 stone in weight.

I expected a letter from you last week. I hope you are not laid up like myself. I am dying to know if there is any