25 January 1920

St Hilda’s Hall,

Oxford.

25.1.20

My dear Mother,

Many thanks for your letter this morning, and for the parcel, which arrived on Friday.  I found the money in the pocket all right.  The cake is delicious, and much appreciated.  Thank you very much for sending on Ethel’s parcel – it was quite right to enclose the pieces.  I would like those two library books, please, if you would not mind sending them along.

I am glad the elusive Peggy has turned up at last, but am sorry she is in such an uncertain position.  Please give her my love.  I am also glad that Tom has got as good a job as the B. of E.

Gwen is up here for quite a fortnight, staying with Dolly while Llewellyn alternates between Keble and All Souls.  She looks very well, and seems quite cheery, but is rather weary of Chatham, though she says they have a lovely house.

At last the vexed question of the chapel register has been settled, ¹ and it has become a purely secular “roller”, signable without going to chapel.  More common-sense on the part of the Principal!

We went to a meeting at Somerville on Friday night to hear Dr Sheavyn² speak about the Women’s Union.  She is an old Somerville woman, at present a Dr of Literature at Manchester University where she has had experience of a Women’s Union.

We had a ripping four on Friday – all Eight people.  We came up from the Gut to the New Cut practically in silence i.e. Best had no criticism to make!  We are going to have an eight in term this term!  I am down to stroke a fixed seat tub in the 7^th week!  Some four that will be!

The weather has been rotten this week, so we haven’t done very much.  To-day was really fine and sunny for the first time this term, so our spirits visibly brightened during the day.  I went to Headington on my way to Mansfield this morning, and so had a nice long walk in the sun.

Please give my love to Daddie and Max, and also to Mrs Katsch.  Why not take Peggy to see “Mr Pym” by way of a diversion?

Your loving daughter,

Margot.

P.S. I think I can get you some note-paper at 2/- per packet and 2/- per 100 envelopes.  Quite nice paper.  Would you like any?

¹Chapel attendance was compulsory until 1919, making problems for anyone not C of E, though it does not seem to have bothered Margot, who as a Congregationalist was non-conformist but went to the college chapel quite happily.  As the gong for Chapel sounded at 8am, before breakfast, this helped to ensure that students had slept in Hall.  It became the habit of some to get their friends to check them in, and so a responsible person had to be appointed to stand at the door.

From the House rules in the early ‘20s:  8.  Students are expected to attend Chapel morning and evening, unless they have conscientious objections, and it is hoped that they will attend Divine Service on Sundays.

²Dr Phoebe Sheavyn, 1865–1968, university teacher and feminist.

The next letter will be posted on 1 February 2017.

23 January 1920

St Hilda’s Hall.

Oxford.

23.1.20

My dear Daddie,

Many thanks for your letter and the cheque.  Please thank Mother also for the parcel, which arrived all complete this morning.

I am glad to hear that Auntie Lizzie is better.  I hope Peggy will turn up sometime.  Please ask Mother not to forget to ask Max to call for the parcel Ethel has for me, as I rather want the book.

Gwen was here to tea yesterday.  She is very well.  Doris Coleman comes this afternoon.

We had a ripping four this morning – all Eight people.

Much love to Mother and Max,

Your loving daughter

Margot.

The next letter to be posted on 25 January 2017.

18 January 1920

18.1.20

 My dear Mother,

I arrived quite comfortably yesterday.  May Spurway and little Philp were in the same carriage, and I shared a cab with Una.  The 1.30 was not nearly so crowded as usual – for one thing Joyce and Evelyn had gone by the 12.30!  We got a porter and a cab quite easily, and Una rode in the cab with all my luggage, including Matthias, while I rode up on my byke.

I forgot to tell you that Ethel has a book for me.  Could Max call at 123 South Croxted Road on his way home for it one afternoon?¹  I have brought no wool up with me, so could you also send some along, together with the remains of the blue ball?

There are one or two gaps this term.  Babe has gone down till next October, Gerry has tonsilitis, Jacinth has not yet appeared, while Kathleen Tullock appears to have smashed herself up pretty badly in a bicycle accident.  One extra fresher has appeared, another is rumoured to be in the offing.  Joan had a ripping time at Paris and Monte Carlo, and looks very well, not having done any work.  Isabel spent four weeks of the vac. in Oxford working, and only went home for Christmas.  She was ill at home, and looks very pale and wan.  Mary Mac spent her vac. in Egypt and Palestine, and is as blooming and sun-burned as usual.

Joyce looks ever so much better, and is once more her naturally high-spirited self.  She had done no work, by the doctor’s orders, and has just had a very giddy time.

I have brought your scissors as well as the folding ones, but will send them back as soon as I can think of something to send them in.

Much love to Daddie and Max, and Mrs Katsch,

Your loving daughter

Margot

¹Max would easily pass by Croxted Road on his way home from Dulwich College to Streatham Hill.  It was quite a long cycle ride and very hilly.

The next letter will be posted on 23 January 2017.