Dearest Auntie:
I have been waiting for an opportunity to write you a real letter, but [despair] of ever having a free moment. This is just a hasty line to return the letter from our little French boy and to send you the enclosed check for him.
I have invited Mary to come out here but she seems anxious to get back to Cedarville. I am sure that she does overestimate her strength, but if things are too much for her she can probably take it easy at Homer's or run over to Cousin Sarah's. When we go on in July I shall take Mammy with me and probably my cook. Mammy is a host in herself. I don't think I ever told you about her. She is the most lovable soul, a perfect saint on earth. So good, so kind and gentle and capable. Can't read or write to speak of, but she is of the chosen few who seem to get their education direct from Cod. She is the nearest to an answer to prayer I ever had in my life. (Arrived by way of Alabama.) Manuel plans to come on to Cedarville, too. We must get away -- I from this farm and the bank and he from the Appeal -- into comparative quiet and concentrate our energies together if we are going to finally finish up and send off our book. I am thankful to say it is almost done but you know what the last and final stages [are]. I'd as leave bear a child as go through them.
Manuel is in California, having a wonderful trip. Alice is visiting in Frontenac for a week while I catch up with various odds and ends, including house-cleaning. Josephine is away over Sunday, so Henry and I are alone -- [that] is to say there are only six of us here instead of the usual nine. We are in the midst of bringing off broods of [illegible] chickens. (How I hate the stupid things!) We have another dog -- Jack's, theoretically. [page 2]
Tell Miss Landsberg that her god-daughter is taking dancing lessons -- as is Josephine -- at our State Normal. I drive them down every week. Alice now waltzes beautifully and is learning a charming little couple dance. She talks incessantly. Scarcely pauses for breath. Nearly drives me crazy with questions too deep for me to answer. Temperamental? Heaven save the mark! Grandmother in her most temperamental moments wasn't a match for her ↑little↓ great grand-daughter. And she knows so much! Thinks so much. Altogether too much. A very difficult child. Hope to be given the strength and wisdom to cope with her.
We almost forgot Henry, at times -- he requires so little attention. Four teeth. Trying to creep. Always smiling. Everybody's baby.
Am awfully homesick to see you, Auntie dear. Warmest congratulations upon the new degree. Must have given you a real thrill! Life to me seems a perfect squirrel cage. Like the Red Queen it takes all the running I can do to stay in the same place.
Marcet [signed]
Comments