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[Page 61]
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to whom he introduced me at the Tennis Courts, and on inquiring for her brother, the brilliant war-correspondent, (who, as chairwoman of the Overseas Club, I had entertained in Australia), she pointed to one of the players, he had returned from France the day before, and though he did not immediately recognise me, he at once associated me with Australia.
On my last Sunday afternoon I had lent to me a box at the Albert Hall for a beautiful concert, at which I heard Morris Budden of Sydney playing and Harold Craxton, who toured Australia with Kirkby Lunn. Madam Stralia was singing too.
That evening I had supper at the Hon. Mrs. Edwardes, and there foregathered many of the dear people I had met during my stay in London, and it was an ordeal to say good-bye. They meant to me more than they knew, for without their sympathy and friendship in my continual anxiety, I should have been a very lonely woman.
My last farewell was to my dear Hostess, for it was through her that all was reflected. I never came away from her home without feeling how good it was to have gained the love and friendship of a nature so generous.
The next morning Ron came after a fortnights visit to Sir Beetham and Lady Whitehead at Efford Park, Lymington. He looked ever so much better, and I felt then no misgivings about his following me. He brought to lunch a young friend of the Air Force, Captain Bush, who had booked to join my boat "The Niagra" [Niagara] at Vancouver.
That afternoon Ron accompanied me to Liverpool, where we stayed the night, and on arriving at the point for embarkation in the morning were handed secret instructions.
By that I found I had to take tender to the "Mauritania", some distance out, and Ron and I parted on the Wark [dock ?]. That was another tense moment for we both had risky voyages ahead, and wondered what the end would be. He cheerfully called out parting instructions in case a torpedo should 'get us'.
It was a great satisfaction to find that my lot was cast on this big ship, sister to the Lusitania, and bound for New York.