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Government House.
Ottawa.

25th May, 1936.

My dear John,

I have not heard from you for a long time, except indirectly
through my sister. I am wondering very much how you are getting
on. I do hope this spring has brought you a little more comfort.
I am always thinking about you.

My eldest boy came here about six weeks ago, looking pretty
pulled down; but the Canadian air, and fishing in the woods, have
done wonders for him, and he is now looking quite his old self. I
am pretty clear, however, that he ought not to go back to Africa, for
apparently he is one of those people who are especially prone to
tropical diseases. So I must begin to think out a new career for him.

My mother and sister arrived about a month ago, both very
well, and I think they are greatly enjoying themselves. My mother,
though in her eightieth year, is wonderfully active. My brother
Walter comes out next week to spend a fortnight here, and then take
them back.

Alec Fraser seems to have had a hard winter, but the prospects
for his farm look a little better now. Charles Dick is coming
out with a batch of Presbyterian Ministers for about a fortnight. I
hope he will spend a weekend with me at Quebec, whither I go early
next month.

What an unholy mess things are in in the Old World! Here
we have plenty of problems, but they are all temporary and soluble,