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18 Jun 60 Julius (Fyzabad) Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

18 – 6 – 60

My dear Mother

Your letter of 18^th May reached me last night. I had been anxiously looking out for tidings from home, in so much that I would not write until the Mail arrived, hoping to get some intelligence of my poor Father on which I might congratulate you. Really, I was astounded, as I commenced your sorrowful letter, to read such very bad accounts. But when I came to the end, knowing how careful you would be not to overstate the case or allow yourself to be carried away by your fears, I felt, & still feel, there is but one thing remaining & that is to cling to sweet hope, trusting entirely to the wisdom & mercy of God, who does all things for our good.

With what anxiety will we now wait for the next news from home. One of his favourite sayings is ‘No news is good news’ & most sincerely do I pray that this time our dear Father may be spared to us; & now my dearest Mother, let me thank you very much for thinking of your absent sons at such a time of great affliction. Believe me, I appreciate your kindness much, in letting me know every thing. Would that I were with you to be a stay & a comfort to you. What anxious hours & weary times you will have passed ere this reaches you. What ever may happen, may God give you strength to bear it.

I hope shortly one of us may be at home. I wish such was now the case. This morning I both telegraphed & wrote to John to find out if he will be able to go immediately. I know indeed, my dearest Mother, he is the person you would rightly prefer to have with you. But I have determined if he cannot shortly, to try & come myself. I hope though I shall not be obliged to. I would much prefer his going.

20 June.

I hear there are still days before the Post goes out. How anxiously I am expecting the next Mail. My Father has such a strong constitution & has been so little subject before to illness that I am endeavouring to persuade myself that, although a most severe attack, he may have sufficient strength to sustain him through it. As yet I have heard nothing from John but am looking out anxiously for a reply from him.

23 June.

Still no answer from John. I have written to Arthur to find out all I can of his whereabouts. I am inclined to think he may already have started, or it is curious I get no letter or message from him.

I must send this now or I may be too late for the Bombay Mail. With a sincere trust that the next English Post may bring more cheering intelligence in from home & a prayer that God will protect & comfort you all during your trials.

Believe me, with love

Yr affect Son

JDLaurie