Picture of ship is the SS Empress of Australia in Vancouver Harbour. Photographer: H. Brown, 1925. British Columbia Archives Visual Records Catalogue

From: Erma Smythe
On the Sound

To: Zilpha Zimmerman

July 31, 1924

Dear Mother:
I have been sizing up my fellow passengers and find that there are plenty of missionaries. Then there is a young couple and baby. The young man is Chinese, Sigma Xi I noticed, and his wife is white.

The lunch bell is sounding. The dining room steward told me that he was putting me at his best table. I'll go see if I agree with him.

After luncheon- The China-American couple were seated across the table from me. The man got his Ph.D. in June from Columbia U. is going to Shanghai then to Peking. The woman beside me is the wife of the dean of St. John's Medical school in Shanghai.

There are a lot of Chinese young men. Students I believe.

When I got back to my cabin I found a big box of gladiolas from Darl. They are salmon color and lovely.

I do hope you got home in fine shape. This boat I admit goes easier than a Franklin automobile. It is hard to believe though.

I called the boy and he brought me water to put my flowers in. Half of them I sent up to be put on my table in the dining room.

I don't know when the mail closes going out from Victoria so will close. You sure gave me a fine send off. Yesterday in Vancouver was a lovely day.

With lots of love
Erma

How did Eunice like the pearls? EZS

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