Hello Betty!

I was thrilled to have your card-letter today, specially as I had mislaid your address, & wanted to post to you along with other ‘old scholars’ now abroad. I wonder if either of their names rings a bell – ‘Jean Spencer’ Australia, ‘Marg. Bettles’ USA Washington, ‘Audrey Childs’ Malta, ‘Lesley Haynes’ Canada, ‘Ernest Jaques’ East Africa – all old Intermediates. I always hear from them at Christmas, or they call to see me on their occasional visits home. Almost every day when I am at the hospital or at the shops, someone hails me with ‘Do you remember me?’ & they are my happiest days. I had my 96th birthday on Dec. 2nd, & I still visit the hospital most days in suitable weather (not pouring rain or deep snow as of old). When I suggest retiring at Annual Meetings someone pops up with:- “We don’t want anyone else” & “pass on to the next Rushden item on the Agenda.” It’s a grand feeling, but the break will come one day. At present it is all my great pleasure & I am thankful to be able to continue after 50 yrs. I am very glad to know you are as it were Following in my footsteps.

Your card of the cardinals pleased me immensely. I did not previously know anything about them – ‘still learning you see’ – You will remember our old friend the robin – I have one or more all the year & feed tits & finches with bags of nuts & split coconut & scores of starlings, thrushes, blackbirds etc. on the grass. The others have a bird table. I did not think to fill all this space so must turn over, repeating my “Good Wishes” & hoping to see you on your next visit.

My love & Happy Memories

E Hensman

Hoping this will reach you somewhere in the Christmas period.

I was very interested in your travel news!