Feb 16th 1847.Dear Charles,
Don't think that I shall not answer your very welcome letter, because you did not ask me too [sic], for I take it as a matter of course that as my letters are so interesting, you will read them with great pleasure.
I have a little news to tell, which is that the spring examination, which usually takes place at the close of the term, will be earlier this year, and will commence in just four weeks from to morrow. The reason assigned, is that they think it will be better for our health, as the excitement of going home, will be enough without the fatique attending examination. I am very glad it is so arranged, for it seems to divide the term, and make it much shorter, and I hope also to see the folks from home. Come Charles, just step into the cars, and covisit [?] the sem. and you can see me also, "if you please or if you dont please," and a great assembly of the literati, and then such a multitude of pretty girls, and my beautiful teacher, Miss Fiske. Dont you think, you'd better come? I dont expect to enjoy the thing itself I assure you, for I suppose likely I shall have some failure, still if I could just see you, and some of the other folks, I would'nt [sic] mind mind [sic] it much. I am rejoiced that I shall not have to be examined on Algebra. All thanks to you, for if I had not had such a good patient teacher, I dont believe I should have half understood it, and should have had to study it here. The girls bitterly complain of its being so hard, and dread to have sums to do on the board at examination, but I have no such trouble.
I think it will be as bad as most any thing to have to read loud enough to be heard, over the large hall, Miss Lyon is wonderfully persevering, and if one do'nt speak loud enough, she will continue to ask her to "speak a little louder" till she does, addressing the one by name. Is it not too bad? But you know I am famous for speaking loud, so for once it may be of advantage to me.
Have you written any valentines this year? or did the discovery of the famous one you wrote Hattie discourage you from it? Miss Lyon prohibited us from writing any, and says it is a foolish custom, and she wants us to make it a rule never to do a foolish thing. How do you like her advice? She discourses a great deal on domestic affairs, and it has been remarked that talk on whatever subject she may, she will manage to bring in domestic work, yet she always makes herself interesting.
We had another fire here, last Sunday morning, in Libby Whaples, room. They had put a comfortable, on a trunk near the stove, and when they came up from breakfast, the room was so full of smoke, they could not enter. But it was very speedily and quietly extinguished, without further damage than the burning of the comfortable and wetting of the carpet. Indeed it was all out before I knew that it was afire. Happening to open my door I observed a great smoke, and the girls running with pails, so I ran also, but saw nothing but smoke, and a great quantity of water. I have often laughed over the manner that Miss Whitman got served at the last fire before this. It was tremendous cold weather, and she poor woman received a plentiful shower bath, as she was foremost in putting out the fire, and entered the burning room. The girls were eager to throw water somewhere, and she got pretty well drenched. She told of it in quite a comical, good-natured way, but advised us in case of another fire not to fling water where it was not needed[.]
Now are you not sorry for me, that I must go and walk, two miles such, a cold windy day, but I must, and I must hasten, or be tardy at supper. So I will merely say in conclusion, that I want you to write to me, and do not criticise this silly letter. I intend to write to Mother if I can get time, but if I do not, you can tell her, you have heard from me that she be not concerned.
Your girl. Mary