Quebec
(Thursday) 13 November 1913
My dearest heart
I am afraid there is no news of any description. My life for the last few days has been one rush of train travelling.
I wrote you last on Sunday afternoon & intended having a short nap afterwards. Well, I went to my room & lay down & read a little & then had a sleep. I managed to get down to dinner at 7.15 & dined with a man I had made friends with on the train. After dinner we sat & smoked & talked. He is the manager for the Falkirk Iron & Steel Co. & I should imagine a very big shot. We get on very well together altho’ he is 59 years of age.
On Monday I had the utmost difficulty in getting a sample room but a judicious tip & gentle persuasion worked matters. As a matter of fact I got a room in front of three men who had been waiting since Friday. When they found out the language was very very lurid, but I stood them a drink & talked nicely to them.
I finished up on Monday evening & got a small order from a man after dinner. My friend & I had a cigar & talked again. Then we had a game of billiards & I just managed to beat him by five.
I packed up & caught the night train to Halifax. Next morning I wanted my samples & after diligent enquiries I found they had been put out at Moncton 173 miles away. They couldn’t be delivered till very late at night. I rather think the railway company will remember me for a long time. As it happened it did not matter as the two customers I had there couldn’t buy anything.
I caught the 2.30 train in the afternoon & had just 23 hours in it. There was nothing to do except read & smoke & sleep & I did all three. I arrived here yesterday at 1.30 & after lunch got to work. At night I sat in the smoke room & listened to the band. This is a charming hotel & I think it is absolutely the best I have ever stayed in. Of course it is rather expensive – 25/- a day & a lot of extras, but everything is top hole.
I leave here tomorrow for Three Rivers & then on to Montreal. I shall cable the firm & ask for instructions & then – well I expect to sail for home very quickly after the reply, but I still have a lot of work to do in Montreal.
Quebec is a most charming place & I could stay here for weeks but I want you so much.
Have you decided what kind of a ring you would like? I am looking forward to the day when I shall put it on your finger. It is not far distant now & I shall hurry like mad.
Just fancy – Thursday night 11 hours Saturday night 18 hours Monday night 9 hours Tuesday night 23 hours – That is pretty stiff for train travelling. Such are the pleasures of travelling abroad for a firm like ours.
I feel rather groggy just at present but I had a good long sleep last night & shall have the same tonight.
I have written Woods & Howard to dine with me tomorrow evening & I think we shall have a lively night especially as it will be our last night together. Howard leaves on Saturday for Toronto & I do not think I shall see him again.
Now I must hike as I have an appointment in 10 minutes.
With all my dearest love girlie & heaps of kisses
Yours for all time
Harry
Love to mother & Tom
Miss Darlington
14 Kenwood Road
Stretford
Manchester Eng.