Beginning of the Crash (Chapter 23)

We were met at the ferry landing by father's older sister, our Auntie Nan and her two older teen-age children, Bill and Anne Ferguson. There were huge hugs all around and then we followed her car to the lovely brown bungalow that Nan had rented for the remainder of the summer for our use. We were met at the door by the housekeeper, a little Australian lady named Mrs. Brown. I remember that she spoke with a strange accent. She had a tea table set and a fire in the little fireplace. The Stewart children explored the house right away and found our beds freshly made and the view of the ocean as we were just a matter of a few blocks from Kitsilano Beach where we were to spend many happy hours swimming and playing on the beach. We were so happy to be at our destination at last after our long journey in the car from Chicago.

Auntie Nan had a phone put in for Campbell so that he could be in touch with Ed Gregor and his business connections in Chicago. I remember that the bungalow had a large enclosed front porch with awnings that pulled down and enclosed it at night. That is where Eric Hopf slept. I remember that he often left the awnings up and would lay out there and smoke as we could see the lit end of his cigarette in the dark. The first few days, we visited family going to Uncle Jim's farm and Aunt Helen's house in the country. The first big family dinner was held at Aunt Helen's and Uncle Harry's farm, and we all had such a good time getting to know our little four year old cousin, Mary. I loved the way that Uncle Harry carried her around - perched on his shoulder as he showed us around the farm. He was a tall, lanky man who wore horn-rimmed glasses, and we all loved him as he seemed to love children!

Father had Eric take the car in for a complete cleaning, oil change, and check up after the first day or so. Our family was going to Kitsilano Beach to try out our new bathing suits. The trunks sent by rail had arrived! We were all going to spend the day at the beach, but at the last minute, mother decided to go with Eric as she had "shopping" to do! This was to be the pattern of the entire visit - mother "shopping" with Eric, dropping Campbell off with all of the children at the beach, Stanley Park, Aunt Helen's, and Uncle Jim;s. We didn't see much of mother. Mrs. Brown took care of the bungalow. Auntie Nan, the sophisticate, knew the score, and father was disturbed by news from Ed in Chicago.

It was August of 1929!