Templeton, Jan. 3, 1906.Dear Lucy,
I have some unpleasant news for you. The Dr. has just been here and says Mary has measles. Perhaps you have them by this time - if you have them let us know and Carrie says she will go and take care of you if you are sick enough to need any one: and if you have not got them yet, I think you ought to tell Mr. C- and perhaps the school committee and do as they tell you. It would seem too bad for you to come home right into them but I think they would want you to go away. Mary is not sick - she is down stairs and acts as if she felt better than a week ago: I feel so stirred up that I don't know what to write. If you have measles now get Mr. C- to telephone us, and Carrie will go if you need her: if you are no worse than Mary is yet, you can take care of yourself - keep yourself warm and take care of your eyes - and sleep to pass away the time: you must not go out into the cold to get wood and empty slops - perhaps you could get some one who has had them to come in and do those things for you once or twice each day till you get over them. I shall feel very anxious to hear from you, and if you have not got them now, they (the committee) will probably send you home. There is this one comfort, that you will not have to dread them again. I must stop. Don't be too discouraged and don't worry about us.
With much love,
Mama.If they want you to come home, I think we can find a place where you can stay till Mary gets well. Mrs. Parker's, or Miss Sophia's, or your Grandmother's.
[Change from ink to pencil, and different handwriting - assumably this is Carrie:]
I'll go up and stay with you any time one day or one week or more. You can telephone for me any time - If you are coming down with them you will probably get well before your mother came down if she has them - and the chances are that she will not have them