[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, Nov. 30, 1902.
Dear Lucy,
The town clock has just struck nine, and you can see that you will not get much of a letter: as I really have hardly any thing to write it is just as well as if I commenced earlier. Carrie and Mary have just got home from the vesper service: it is snowing fast and they had no umbrellas, so their hats were well covered with snow. Margaret and Miss Farnsworth called to invite us to go with them. While they were here the corner shelf where you always kept your books, and which is always loaded, came down with a crash that gave us all a good start - it had worked away from the house a little, I suppose. Margaret is staying with Mrs. B- till the Lords come home which will not be till Wed.
Mary and Carrie have been to church - Uncle Isaac planned to go but Charles made him so long a call that he gave it up - Charles has left the house to-day, and gone to Gardner where he expected to work on the new state property there - the state farm for insane. I am afraid this snow will shut him out of his job. The house was to be taken down tomorrow, but the snow may put that off.
We had some of your cake tonight and it is very good: you better save those boxes if they fit so well in your bag - you may want them next time. We made another attack on the turkey tonight and wished you was here to help us. It hardly seems as if you had been here, only I miss you more. I got my car all right Friday and got home at 11-30. I did not stop at the cemetery, it was so cold and windy. I saw you found a seat with the girls.
The Unitarian choir united with the Orthodox in the service tonight, and they had a male quartette from Gardner. Carrie and Mary thought it very good. Carrie said tell you Annie has a black velvet hat with a stunning white plume - and she had on a white wast and white gloves and a blue ribbon. Mrs. Henry Wright came up and sang with the choirs. Is she a fine singer?
Uncle Isaac tells me that Eliza has bought a house in Dorchester and is going to live there - that was quite a surprise to me. I don't know of anything new to write so will not try any more this time - I hope you have rested today for I know you must have been very tired when you got back and settled down. If you are cold nights, wrap that shawl around you as I do my blanket - the shawl will wash. Well, good night and much love,
Mama.