“A very dreadful day. — After breakfast, a telegram was brought to me, which said, that precious little May was gone! This is too dreadful. How my darling child, adored that little angel. Westerweller telegraphed the news. The sweet child died suddenly at ½ p. 12. Alice terribly grieved but brave. Louis better, Ernie less satisfactory, & the others better, especially Alicky. Telegraphing to poor dear Alice, & all the family. To think of all this misery, & all, whilst the others are still so ill! — Resting on the sofa. Telegram from dear Alice herself: “Our sweet little one is taken, broke it to my poor Louis this morning. He is better, Ernie still very ill. In great anguish”. — Endless telegrams. All so distressed & grieved. — Can think of little else, am so anxious. — A telegram from poor dear Alice in the afternoon: “the pain is beyond words, but God’s will be done. Our precious “Ernie still a source of such terrible, fear, the others, though not safe, better”. Later, came a telegram from Westerweller, saying, Ernie had less fever & was sleeping quietly. This is more hopeful. My tears flow often, & my prayers are offered up, that his dear life may be spared. —“
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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