[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, May 17, 1907.
Dear Lucy;
Your letter will not be very good this time, for I am tired, and cannot think of much to write. A young man from the Harvard law school came this afternoon and tried to persuade me to join some society for social culture - (as if I needed to) for three dollars we could have two books full of information whether we should eat asparagus with our fingers &c. and we also should have the privilege of writing to headquarters twenty times for any information not given in the books. I suppose we need such information badly, but I have not joined it yet, but he had many names of people we know - Bessie Lord, Hattie Leland, Mrs. Kay &c. He talked & talked until I finally told him I had been sick and must be excused, and he talked for some time after that. I think he better write and ask what good manners are in such cases.
Every thing is about as usual. I do a little work but not much: stay out of doors a good deal, and lie down every day. Carrie went to Leominster Tuesday and I kept house and as there was not much to do, got along all right. Mary did not go till 10-30, so she did most of the work. Carrie is going to L. again tomorrow afternoon to get her new dress. You would not have worn your new suit much, if you had it there, would you? Persis came in just now for some apples that I promised her for a pie, and I had to stop: she is the same Persis, she does our ironing now, but Mrs. Lane still presides over the wash-tub.
I am sure there were some things I was going to tell you but I can't think of them now. I received a photograph of Edith Hartwell Paul this week. I am very glad to have it. Has any one written to you that George Hadley and wife have moved to T-n - and we have heard that they will move into Grace's house if Mr. & Mrs. Curtis move away, which they probably will do as he works in Worcester now. Bert Hadley & wife have another little one. I do not think Emma gains fast - she was at Esther's the last I knew. I am very much afraid she will never be well again, and that she may not live very long. It does not seem to me that you and Miss Bliss ought to help so much around the work there, even if Mrs. J- is not well: you both have all you are able to do without that, and if she is sick so long she ought to get some one to help her. How is Mr. L-?
It was very nice of your pupils to give you that paper asking you to come back, and I don't wonder you were pleased. I would not make any promises yet though, and you probably will not have a chance to before the middle of August unless your committee have turned over a new leaf.
Carrie and Mary went maying Wed. afternoon, up by the cemetery and got quite a good bunch, they had not heard then there was a wild-cat round - have heard since there is one that scared some who [were] out fishing. I may as well stop writing and go to bed soon. Mary has to write to Roger and I am using her pen. Take good care of yourself.
Much love,
Mother.