[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Dec. 20, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
I am going to write but a few lines tonight for I would rather talk than write. I think you have made good selections for your presents - we can only 'guess' at what people want in most cases, and it is the thought more than the gift itself. I would leave all the rest till you come home and you can fix up any thing more that you want. I would not do any thing about Aunt Augusta now - we will see about it at home - I should hate to begin with Edith's baby - you can give it some thing at some other time - if you begin with Christmas presents it is not so easy to leave off. You can probably get some thing here if you decide to give it a present.
You spoke of your two suits to bring home. Shall you much more than your new one? You can bring your black skirt if you want a long one - and it joins them so to bring them. Why don't you bring your white albatross instead of your silk waist? You have not worn that here and you have your silk a good many times. You can wear Mary's golf cape over your new jacket, if that is not warm enough. Carrie says bring some music so you can play to us.
Bourn's shop is to be dedicated New Year's so you may want to go to that. Mary says Walter Hadley is at home sick I don't know how sick. Some of our kitchen chimney has blown down tonight, and I am afraid more will. Amber does not seem well but has caught a rat in the pump cupboard where he has watched so long. I am pleased that you did so well with your 'Witch's Fire' - and Mary's theme goes to St. Louis, and Helen's, Bessie's, Linnie's and Arthur Greenwood's. Good for Templeton.
Much love,
Mama