Letter 16
20/01/23 14:29
Dear Bunty,
I am attempting to use Lady Flora's computer to type this letter to you and it is not as easy as it looks at first. In my time in the Forces there was always some adjutant to do the paperwork and I never learned to get the hang of a typewriter, but I agree it is never too late to learn! Flora has asked me to drop you a line or two as she is in the Cottage Hospital. Do not fret, she is only suffering from a dent in her pride and is not in danger. She should be back in the House in the next couple of days her doctor informs me. I am sure the rest in the hospital will do her the world of good as she has nobody to boss about there. I am sure she would have made a wonderful Matron if her situation had been different and she was not burdened with her position in the House of Lords for all those years and on the Estate nowadays. I know she misses her Days Sitting, what with the Reforms and all, but I am glad to have her at home a lot more. I am sounding over-sentimental I know.
It is most embarrassing for her you know to be out of sorts and being fussed over by local young nurses. Her pride may take a beating this time! She was admitted the morning after the American bankers left suffering from - of all things - gout in the finger. It is most debilitating I can tell you as I suffer myself from time to time, but have never had it in the finger. I think it may be from wagging it at me too often over the years, but I jest. Gout can be so difficult and thankfully it is on her left hand so she will be back to ordering this and that and writing off to the newspapers as usual on her return. I think she overdid it at the weekend with the guests. She seemed to be uncharacteristically enjoying the paying guests this time, as I do not remember her escaping to our morning room in our wing of the House at any occasion. I think she secretly loved the attention as they had found out that she was a Chief of a Clan in her Own Right and they were most intrigued. As you know I am not one for the dancing but I do enjoy watching it. This year at the Hogmanay party, I cast everything to the wind and approached my lovely wife for a St Bernard's Waltz and I have to say she is still that wonderful mover she was all those years ago at the Caledonian Ball at Hyde Park. How time has flown since then.
I am not aware as to the content of her frequent letters to you but I suppose she has mentioned that we had paying guests for Hogmanay this year. American bankers no less so I am pleased to report that our venture into the winter hospitality business was a resounding success. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and the ladies in the party from London were most pleasing to the eye, if a little on the underfed side for my own personal taste. You know how a gentleman likes a bit of girth on his companions!
I myself enjoyed the male company as I seem from time to time to be surrounded by strong females on the estate and if it were not for Ruaraidh our gillie I would be seriously outnumbered! Even in the summer, when the tearooms are opened and the tuck shop is doing business I am surrounded by ladies of every shape and description, and a man needs male company to keep him grounded. Hopefully young Alasdair on his return from his travels will see it is time to come and settle down on the Estate and give up those plans he has for living in London. I know you have been there for decades, dear Bunty and have been a great friend to my good wife over the years, but a man needs his sons near him as he ages - if nothing other than to have company of an evening around the fireside smoking some Churchwardens as I like to do. I know it is unfashionable, but fireside smoking is one of the few pleasures left to me these days.
Sincerely yours, Hector MacPherson, Bt
This story first appeared on www.panetwork.co.uk in 2004
I am attempting to use Lady Flora's computer to type this letter to you and it is not as easy as it looks at first. In my time in the Forces there was always some adjutant to do the paperwork and I never learned to get the hang of a typewriter, but I agree it is never too late to learn! Flora has asked me to drop you a line or two as she is in the Cottage Hospital. Do not fret, she is only suffering from a dent in her pride and is not in danger. She should be back in the House in the next couple of days her doctor informs me. I am sure the rest in the hospital will do her the world of good as she has nobody to boss about there. I am sure she would have made a wonderful Matron if her situation had been different and she was not burdened with her position in the House of Lords for all those years and on the Estate nowadays. I know she misses her Days Sitting, what with the Reforms and all, but I am glad to have her at home a lot more. I am sounding over-sentimental I know.
It is most embarrassing for her you know to be out of sorts and being fussed over by local young nurses. Her pride may take a beating this time! She was admitted the morning after the American bankers left suffering from - of all things - gout in the finger. It is most debilitating I can tell you as I suffer myself from time to time, but have never had it in the finger. I think it may be from wagging it at me too often over the years, but I jest. Gout can be so difficult and thankfully it is on her left hand so she will be back to ordering this and that and writing off to the newspapers as usual on her return. I think she overdid it at the weekend with the guests. She seemed to be uncharacteristically enjoying the paying guests this time, as I do not remember her escaping to our morning room in our wing of the House at any occasion. I think she secretly loved the attention as they had found out that she was a Chief of a Clan in her Own Right and they were most intrigued. As you know I am not one for the dancing but I do enjoy watching it. This year at the Hogmanay party, I cast everything to the wind and approached my lovely wife for a St Bernard's Waltz and I have to say she is still that wonderful mover she was all those years ago at the Caledonian Ball at Hyde Park. How time has flown since then.
I am not aware as to the content of her frequent letters to you but I suppose she has mentioned that we had paying guests for Hogmanay this year. American bankers no less so I am pleased to report that our venture into the winter hospitality business was a resounding success. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and the ladies in the party from London were most pleasing to the eye, if a little on the underfed side for my own personal taste. You know how a gentleman likes a bit of girth on his companions!
I myself enjoyed the male company as I seem from time to time to be surrounded by strong females on the estate and if it were not for Ruaraidh our gillie I would be seriously outnumbered! Even in the summer, when the tearooms are opened and the tuck shop is doing business I am surrounded by ladies of every shape and description, and a man needs male company to keep him grounded. Hopefully young Alasdair on his return from his travels will see it is time to come and settle down on the Estate and give up those plans he has for living in London. I know you have been there for decades, dear Bunty and have been a great friend to my good wife over the years, but a man needs his sons near him as he ages - if nothing other than to have company of an evening around the fireside smoking some Churchwardens as I like to do. I know it is unfashionable, but fireside smoking is one of the few pleasures left to me these days.
Sincerely yours, Hector MacPherson, Bt
This story first appeared on www.panetwork.co.uk in 2004