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From Mary to Emma
August 19, 1916
The Silver Bird Inn
Emma,
No, I have not forgotten the name of 'your husband'. I would just rather forget him, after he practically kidnapped you. Your whirlwind romance was so sudden, it surprised all of us so much when you announced your engagement to us. I was shocked. I still don't fully trust the man, for I hardly know him at all. I am, after all, the protective older sister, and you must permit me to fulfill my role. You can still send him my regards, but you must also remind him that Eddie is my favorite. Living in a grand mansion with two other families sounds very interesting. How did you come to find this mansion? And I am very sorry that your house was bombed, the war is such a nasty thing. Have you been able to correspond with any of our family in William Hollow? I know we all have our carpetbags, and it isn't so very hard to simply drop a letter in yours once in a while, but I know you tend to get overwhelmed. What I am really asking is are you well? You always were the optimistic one in our family, so I think it is worse than you are letting on. Is Wilson handling this well? See, I do know the name of your husband! I hope he is able to be as optimistic as you. I often wish that I was able to be as optimistic as you, so that I would be able to adjust to my new life easier. London isn't bad, it's just a lot to take in. I enjoy its barely organized chaos, though I do prefer organization over it. I am going to take mother's advice and find a job or a hobby, so that I have something to be proud of when she comes.
Love,
Your sister, Mary
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From Mary to her Mother
August 19, 1916
The Silver Bird Inn
Mother,
I am very glad that the war is not bad where you are. I have been corresponding with Emma, and she tells me that she is doing well. Her house was bombed, so she and her little family have found an abandoned mansion where they have been staying with two other families. I am also doing well, and I hope to find some kind of job. A governess seems like a good idea, maybe a nanny.
Love,
Your daughter, Mary
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From Emma to Mary
August 20, 1916
Peter's Ridge
Mary,
My goodness, you are so funny sometimes. I can understand your feelings towards Wilson, our courtship was very fast. I can vouch for him, though. He is very kind and generous. He cares for Eddie and I very much. In fact, I know that Wilson loves us with all his heart. He is also the most dashing man I have ever met, with silvery blonde hair (which Eddie has, as well) and bright green eyes. He still makes me weak in the knees, even after being married to him for 300 years. I hope you can find a man who strikes your fancy, whom you can grow to love, as I love Wilson. Just because you have reached the ripe old age of 3,000 does not mean that you need to be a spinster (that's only about thirty years old in the span of a human life, right?) You will always be quite beautiful, and I knew a few girls when you lived here that would kill for those blue eyes and black hair which you take for granted. I am still a little jealous myself; brown is just not the same as black. And, in response to your question, I am doing just as well as I can be. I do have panic attacks once in a while, but Wilson always holds me and strokes my back, which is very comforting (does that endear him to you, Mary?). Sweet Eddie is oblivious to everything that is going on around him, for which I am very grateful. It is my greatest fear that he will grow up during this time, and never recover from it. Thankfully, I do not think that will happen, he has his friends and toys to play with. He is easily distracted from the dangers outside. Wilson seems to be handling all this quite well, and he always has enough strength to comfort me. Oh, Mary, please find a man who can love you and comfort you and fulfill your every need. It is truly wonderful. Count yourself blessed if you can find a man as wonderful as Wilson.
Love and hope,
Your sister, Emma
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From Mary to Emma
August 21, 1916
The Silver Bird Inn
Emma,
I am the funny one? You are the sister who was always a romantic! I am glad that you can vouch for your dear Wilson, but I would still rather get to know the man, myself. I need to meet him again, I only ever really saw him at your wedding. I am sorry that you are getting panic attacks, but I'm glad you have Wilson. Even if I don't fully trust him, I do believe that he cares for you; I am very glad that he is there with you. However, I don't know about him being the most dashing man. I cannot say that I have ever met anyone truly dashing, but I did meet a very handsome, very dirty chimney sweep yesterday. I was walking to the market to get some vegetables for dinner (Oh, by the way, I've got some "real" money, now. They wouldn't take my gold bits. They use silly little paper, what worth is paper?), and as I was walking back to the Inn I dropped both of my bags right in the middle of the street. That sweet chimney sweep was riding his bike, and he saw my predicament. He stopped his bike and quickly gathered all my things into his basket, then beckoned for me to follow him. If he hadn't picked them up, they would have gotten run over by oncoming carriages; I would have gotten run over by oncoming carriages. I followed the chimney sweep, and eventually he stopped in an alley. I was a little nervous, because alleys aren't generally safe, but he showed me that he was trustworthy. He smiled at me and introduced himself as Bert. I thanked him for saving my vegetables, and he laughed. Bert gave me a bag to carry my things, and then he offered to walk me home. After introducing myself (which I realized I had not done) I walked companionably next to him while he pushed his bike, which still held my vegetables. About halfway to the Inn, I asked him if "Bert" was short for something else, out of curiosity. Bert studied me for a moment, as if deciding whether he trusted me enough to tell me, and then he looked around playfully; I suppose it was to pretend like he was making sure no one was listening. It's Herbert Alfred. After he told this to me, as quiet as a mouse, he told me never to tell anyone else. He is so easygoing! I haven't met someone so easy to talk to in a very long time. Oh look! I just saw Bert out my window as I was writing. He was riding his bike, and he waved at me. Now I'm trying hard not to think of his dark hair and rakishly handsome blue eyes, which always have a twinkle in them. I apologize, I'm getting ahead of myself. Keep optimism in your heart, dear sister.
Love,
Your sister, Mary
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From Mrs. Poppins to Mary
August 23, 1916
William Hollow
Mary,
Thank goodness Emma is doing well! I was so afraid for her! She hasn't tried to send a letter to me, and I've been frantically checking my carpetbag each day. The poor thing probably has tears in it from my fingernails. I was very sorry to hear that her house has been bombed, but a mansion sounds interesting. I hope dear little Edward is doing well! Has Emma told you who the other two families are? I would very much like to know, as I have some friends who also live in Peter's Ridge. I want to make sure they are well. Have you gotten a job yet, Mary? I still think a governess is a good idea, but you may do as you choose. Ooh, have you met any handsome young men that catch your eye? What fun it would be for you to fall in love with a human! But, you would outlive him by a lot, so maybe not. Humans only live for one hundred years, right? That's hardly the age of a toddler! Have fun in London!
Love,
Your mother, Adelaide Poppins
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