The first letter was very simple and dated nearly two years ago.
Dear Mr. Etheridge,
I appeal to you as my member of Parliament to assist me in my present distress. My story is a simple one. I 137
married at nineteen at my parents' arrangement, to a man several years older than myself and of a nature most grim and autocratic. I endeavored to please him and to find some happiness, or at least to learn it, for twelve years. During that time I bore him three children, one of whom died. The other two, a boy and a girl, I cared for and loved with all my heart.
However, in time my husband's manner and his unyielding domination of my life, even in the smallest things, made me so wretched I determined to live apart from him. When I broached the subject he was not at all unwilling, indeed I think he had grown quite tired of me and found the prospect of his release from my company without disgrace to himself an agreeable solution.
He insisted that my son remain with him, in his sole custody, and that I should have no influence upon him nor say in his future life. My daughter he permitted to come with me.
I asked no financial provision, and he made none either for me or for our daughter, Pamela, known to us as Pansy, then aged six. I found lodgings and some small labor with a woman of reasonable means, and all was well, until this last month my husband has suddenly demanded the custody of our daughter again, and the thought of losing my child is more than I can bear. She is well and happy with me and wants for none of the necessities of life, nor does she lack regarding her education and moral welfare.
Please defend me in this matter, as I have no other to turn to.
I remain most sincerely yours, Florence Ivory
There followed a copy of Etheridge's response.
My dear Mrs. Ivory,
I am most touched by your plight, and will look into 138
the matter immediately. It seems to me that your original agreement with your husband was a most reasonable one, and since you asked of him no support, he has acted less than honorably and can have no claim upon you, still less to remove so young a child from her mother.
I shall write to you again when I have further information.
Until then I remain yours sincerely,
Vy vyan Etheridge
The next letter was also Etheridge's own copy of one he had written to Florence Ivory, dated two weeks later.
My dear Mrs. Ivory,
I have inquired further into your situation, and I see no cause for you to distress yourself, or fear for yourself or your daughter's happiness. I have spoken with your husband and assured him that he has no grounds for his demand. A child of Pansy's tender years is far better in the care of her natural mother than that of some housekeeper or hired nurse, and as you have stated, she does not lack for any of the appurtenances of health, education, and a sound moral upbringing.
I doubt that you will be troubled further in the matter, but if you are, please do not hesitate to inform me, and I will see that legal counsel is obtained and a decision handed down that will ensure you are not threatened or caused anxiety again.
I remain yours sincerely,
Vy vyan Etheridge
This was followed by a letter in a quite different hand.
Dear Mr. Etheridge,
Further to our discussion on the 4th day of last month, I think perhaps you are not aware of the conduct and character of my wife, Mrs. Florence Ivory, who somewhat 139
misrepresented herself to you when seeking your intervention to prevent my receiving custody of my daughter, Pamela Ivory.
