Overview
Thurs Decr 24
Vivian drove me down to catch the Napier Mail which left at 11.41 a.m. At Ormondville the country began to look dry + at Takapau it was quite brown + parched - not a green blade of grass anywhere but most of the stock I could see appeared to be in good condition. Mr. Herd came into my carriage at Waipawa + travelled with me thence to Hastings. He had been to Takapau for the day to purchase sheep. Maud + Ralph met us with the trap at Hastings - on account of the crowd she did not see me till I had got alongside the platform + squeezed her arm, then she turned, her face radiant. On reaching Grays Road I found Gertie still isolated
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with C.P. [chicken pox] + the rest of the family well - Alice away in Napier +Olive in New Plymouth. Mrs. Herd gave me her usual kind + cordial welcome. At the first opportunity beloved Maud flew into my arms + pressed warm love-kisses on my lips while I held her in a rapturous embrace. After tea we made an early start for town, just we two, to have a happy Xmas Eve. Made a tour round the shops, partook of icecream at the Oriental + made our customary visit to the Methodist Church. Completing our shopping, we walked slowly + most contentdly home, + spent most of the evening in the drawing room.