14th March 1960

Hongkong & Shanghai Bank
P.O. B 98
Jesselton
B.N. Borneo

My dear Mum & Dad,

Well, your dear little grandaughter arrived at last! Those last 12 days were the longest I've known. When I went to the clinic on Tuesday the doctor said that it was a very small baby but he would do a medical induction early Thurs morning. So I went though the usual rigmarole but nothing happened so I was all set for a surgical induction on Friday. Caroline & Adrienne came to visit me on Thurs afternoon & Caroline's eyes immediately looked at the spot where Susan's cradle had been & said "Where's the cradle - & where's the new baby"! However the new baby started at 1.30 am & by the time I called the nurse the first stage was over. In fact it was all very quick & Elisabeth Jane was born at 7.45 am - a few minutes before Peter came to visit m. So once again father had a good night's rest! The "small baby" weighted 8 lbs 14 ozs & is a very chubby soul, quite pretty with a mass of black, curly hair. I had to have three stitches so I find if rather sore sitting but otherwise I feel extremely fit. Peter came into the room to see me soon after Elisabeth was born. He fed me with my breakfast while the sister bathed the baby. then he went off to the office & I had my stitches inserted. All very informal at this hospital!

Caroline & Adrienne came along on Sunday morning & both seemed very thrilled with their baby sister. Caroline kept stroking Elisabeths hair - saying "My little baby sister, my little baby sister." I had two books which I gave the girls & told them that the baby had bought for them. As they left in the car, Caroline said to Peter "The baby's got hands? " & when he replied "Yes" - she said "Did she carry the books herself?" !! All the children have been very good or so I'm told - Susan will come & visit me on her birthday. Very many thanks for her birthday card & the new baby card & your letter which arrived today. The parcel containing Peter's trousers arrived last week & he is very pleased with them. Very many thanks for the nice piece of material & we love the bush baby - he has been rather commandeered by Adrienne at the moment. Peter says the next pair of trousers should be 32" waist & 1 inch longer - nevertheless the present ones are O.K. as he can get them let out. I've told him that he doesn't realise that he's putting on weight. We shall both have to go on a diet together! Peter is well over 11 stone now & looking very fit. He plays golf every Saturday afternoon & spends all Sunday mornings at the beach in the water with C & A. You have to watch Adrienne as she will happily follow Peter into the water until it is lapping around her chin. Susan loves her dip too & has a very good idea of swimming & has the sense not to breathe under water!

Dick Lloyd promised to be Godfather to Elisabeth so Peter sent him a wire as soon as she was born. We received the following wire today "Loud cheers - draw on me cost bottle champers = Dick"!

Barbara will be home soon so Mum & Dad must be getting very excited. Mum tells me that she is repapering the dining room & painting the kitchen as well as doing a lot of knitting.

Peter has just finished a roll of films - mostly of the children but none of himself. I've told him that he must let me take one of him so that you can see how well he looks (but I think he's afraid I shall drop the camera!). This seems to be all the news from Jesselton - Peter should arrive shortly to visit me so he can post this letter tomorrow. Love from us all & big kisses from you four grandaughters.

Margo & Peter