Durban
(Monday) 19 August 1912
My darling Dolly
I arrived here yesterday afternoon after a good trip. At East London there isn’t a pier or wharf so we went out to the boat on a launch. It took us a long time to get fastened up as there was such a heavy swell running. They managed to fasten up at one end & they almost completed the other end when the rope snapped. They started again & before they had half finished, the other rope snapped. It took just an hour & ten minutes for us to get tied up. The basket was lowered & we took our turn & eventually I got on board. I was very fortunate this time as I had a state room cabin on the promenade deck. There were only about 25 passengers first class but I knew two of them & made pals with others. Of course there was nothing doing on the boat. The band played & when that finished three of us sat together in the smoke room discussing politics. We landed at 5 minutes to two – really before our time.
In the afternoon I walked along the embankment about 1½ miles in length & then strolled down to the beach & listened to the band. Durban is a second Blackpool. It is the fag end of the season now, but there are a great many people still here. Although it is winter you can wear the lightest of summer clothing (at home) & still feel the heat. You see all the usual things you see at home. Any amount of flirting is going on right under your eyes but tis a strange thing I have not seen any "picking up" done. The girls in this country give you a good choking off if you attempt to "pick up" with them. I haven’t tried but its what fellows tell me & what I have seen. In spite of that this is easily the most immoral country in the world. You can’t trust one of them. I know it is a sweeping assertion to make but men who have daughters will not let them live here unless they are married. Personally after what I have seen & learned I quite agree with them & would not bring an unmarried girl here on any consideration.
This afternoon I went down to the beach & listened to the band. I called on four or five customers first & made appointments but my samples had not arrived & there was nothing further to do. Last night I went to a sacred? Concert at the Town Hall. It is absolutely the finest Town Hall I have ever seen. It knocks Manchester into a cocked hat. I went for my letters this morning but as there was not one from you I concluded you must have missed the mail. The next mail is due on Thursday & I hope to receive your letter then.
I am staying at a fine hotel. It is almost as good as the Midland but not anything like as rowdy. The usual charge is 15/- a day but I told the tale so well about being a commercial & being a member of the British Manufacturers Representatives Assoc (which I am not) that I am getting everything for 11/6. I am not stinting myself with money. The trip could be worked for a lot less than I am doing it but I am looking to the future. I couldn’t afford to spend above £150 to bring you out but if my expenses work out this time at £2-10-0 (about) per diem then you see the firm would pay 15/- to 20/- a day for you & it is much cheaper for a girl than a man.
I want to bring you out some time & if it can be managed by any means it shall be done. Do you like the idea.
The rickshaw runners here wear the most wonderful & weird headdress you can imagine. If possible I will send you (or Tom) a card showing the style. I have nothing further to write about at present but will resume it later.
Well, here we are again. Monday night I paid a visit to one of the music halls & had a very enjoyable time. To get back to a civilised town is a perfect treat. Tuesday morning I commenced work in real earnest & made appointments & altogether worked hard till five o’clock. Then I wrote a letter or two & after dinner I went to see the Quaker girl. Twas not at all a bad show but I hadn’t anyone to talk to & I felt a bit lonely. Wednesday morning I got a man in my sample room at eight o’clock! I had another appointment at 9.30 & another at ten. The eight o’clock man didn’t leave me till 11.15. The 9.30 man came along & I had to talk to him nicely & persuade him to come again. The ten o’clock man I was supposed to fetch & I went for him in fear & trembling at 11.15. He was rather nasty but I put on my most innocent look (which I learned from you) & talked to him firmly but gently & at the finish he came with me. He ordered quite a nice quantity as he wanted to learn something from a practical man. I taught him as much as I could & he appreciated it. Nearly all the customers I have seen appreciate a practical man being sent out, so they can learn a bit. Fortunately for me it takes years of assiduous work to know much about whites. I worked 5½ hours without a break & hadn’t even time for my cup of coffee at eleven o’clock. I very rarely miss that. In the afternoon I straightened up a bit & sent a cable home ordering 50,000 yards & as I thought I had worked enough for one day I walked down to the beach & listened to the band. After dinner I did the same. The mail isn’t due till tomorrow so I have to curb my impatience for my letters. Today I have actually done nothing but yet I have been awfully busy. Haven’t had time to go down to the band. I am spending tonight in writing my letters. I have written to your mother asking for Uncle Alfred’s address. After reading it over it struck me the tone of the letter was rather cheeky but you know I don’t mean it in that way. There is nothing further to write about just at the moment but will finish the epistle off on Saturday morning when the mail leaves.
How are things progressing everywhere. I expect the movement has received a setback through the hatchet incident. It is a most abominable affair & really you can’t wonder at people getting their backs up. You did not work too much during the election I hope. You may be able to stand the racket now but dearest it will tell a tale some day & you are more precious to me than anything on this earth. Please do ease off a little & fatten up. When you come down to Southampton you must look as well as you did after the motor holiday. You know sweetheart it will not be long before I am home. Ten weeks have elapsed since I left you & I am making much quicker progress than I anticipated. On the other hand I may receive a set back somewhere which will delay me. I have written our agent in Sydney asking him to give me the quickest route & I expect to be home – well – shall I tell you – but you will bother my life out if I don’t – but on this understanding only will I tell you & that is you don’t breathe a word to a soul – not even my family as what they say will be surmise only. Well then if you are very good & behave yourself & let me have good news I intend to get home before Whit week which I think is about May 11th next year. The only reason I am doing it, is, so that I can have a glorious time with you all that week. I may be earlier still but that I cannot promise & I dare not rush things too much. I must do my job thoroughly & so far I can say with a perfectly clear conscience I have worked the ground thoroughly. You will keep it a dead secret won’t you dearest.
On the other hand as soon as you tell me you have broken with Walter I shall hurry our agent till he won’t know he’s alive when I have finished with him, but dearest I can’t come home & find you still engaged though I don’t for one moment expect to. Just imagine my feelings if it was so.
I know I ought not to write like this but I cannot keep my thoughts from you even though nearly 8,000 miles separates us. You are all & everything to me my sweetheart & I can only be with you in thought & wish you everything that is good. Has anyone said anything about you receiving letters from me. The little gossip has left you by now – I mean M.H. Miss Lopez may say something but I don’t think she will, altho’ she may like a little scandal to retail over the teacups. Anyway dearest till Saturday. My thoughts keep going on & on till I never know when to stop.
The mail came in yesterday & there was no letter from you. I waited two or three hours perchance it had been sorted wrongly but no such luck. I immediately cabled you as I thought you must have been ill & I was dreadfully anxious. All day I was in a state of suspense & when your cable was brought up to my room this morning it was such a relief to know you were still perky. Perhaps it was wrong for me to wire but I had to chance it as I was on tenterhooks & I couldn’t possibly wait till next week. Anyhow now that I know you are alright I will tell you what I did yesterday.
I had a cable from the firm accepting my orders & a letter from Miss Millar, sister of the Millar at our place. She is staying in Durban for a holiday. Her home is Jo’burg. After breakfast I went round to see here & arranged to spend the evening with her. During the day I was busy writing my firm’s letters & sending print assortments home.
After dinner I called round for Miss Millar & we walked down to the beach & sat on the pier. I told her all the news. After a cup of chocolate & cakes I took her home & arranged to spend this afternoon with her. She is a governess to four bonny little children & so I am going to be a family man & take her & the kiddies out this afternoon.
I have practically finished here & hope to leave on Tuesday for Maritzburg. Half my African journey is finished & the time has slipped along so quickly that I hardly realise it is the end of August.
Altogether here I have booked 80,000 yds to a value of £750 & have still three men to see.
Now I have just an hour to write all my other letters & pc’s & finish my home letter so I must close.
Please dearest do take care of yourself & let the work go hang.
With much love my darling
Yours for all time
Harry