My dear M. Ben,
Your letter has given me a much pleasure and i am now all a-tingling with the prospect of coming to see you at your home. I certainly wish ever so much that will be able to "pull it off"!
My last examination this year I take on June 15th. Giving myself a week for preparation and another eight or nine days on the boat, I shall not arrive in Montreal before the beginning of July. It is a pity that i cannot possibly come a month before, as I would love to see "Noo Yarrk" with it's buildings sky-high and bustling traffic. Well, barring accident, I shall see it all sometime!
Judging from the photographs, your home and the surroundings are beautiful. How your mother and you must love it! By George, if once I get there, you'll have a job to get rid of me, M. Ben, so now you better take your choice!
Now, there is a point to clean up: whilst Venette loves writing letters in general, I loath it - in general. Please understand that I do not write letters to anybody, unless to answer or "as the spirit moves me". However, I shall write to you again and again, dear Ben. [I have omitted the "Mr." part of it, not because of the lack of respect - Heavens above us - no, but because with "Mr.", it sounds cold!]
I have passes in all my exams, but unfortunately did not do particularly well, which annoys me immensely. I shall certainly do better in the upcoming exams!
Venette's holidays start in a fortnights time while mine are already on. I shall not go away from London, as I have a lot of work to do. She shall come to London and stay about three minutes walk from here.
My uncle has not yet made himself memorable by a letter since over nine weeks weeks ago. I am getting a little impatient. You know from Venette's letters I suppose that he has married. I have seen my aunt's photograph; she is very sweet. Next year, he is going to bring her over; she is now in Harbin, Manchuria; and we shall settle down, I hope. I am yearning to have a home again.
Well, I am closing for the present. I shall write again soon. Please let me hear from you. Give my best regards to your mother.
I remain; always your friend
Guigui
Note: I screwed up the chronology, this should clearly be the 3rd letter in these installments. Furthermore, I had always assumed the Ben was one of Guigui's brothers, but I am starting to doubt that as I read on. This is getting interesting. Here is also some more information about the Grantleigh Hotel.
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