South Hadley Dec. 31. /49My dear Father and Mother,
Doubtless you will be surprised at the bearing of my letter, but really I feel as if I should like to take a peep home, and see how you are all getting along. I do want to see some of the girls very much, & I do want to attend some of your precious meetings. Then too there are so many little things that we want that are not with schooling to us, Sue wants me to go very much. She says then she can tell whether she can do without me next year, & besides she thinks she shall receive more of Miss Hazen's attention if I am gone. By the by, it is decided, Miss Hazen is going to Persia with Mr. Stoddard, but he is going to stay here the rest of the year, and Sue wants to make the most of her, & she is in hopes if I go off she will let her room with her. Hannah Gilman means to come & see you at any rate, in vacation she says[.] Will you not think of this, and answer as soon as Wednesday if possible, but at any rate let us get a letter Thursday night. I do really want to come, there are so many little things we shall want before Spring.
Mary really things she should like to come home in vacation, and I think it would be quite nice to have her go. She will be really lonely here I know if she stays, for all her friends are going away. but I think I shall be contented with Miss Hazen. She says she will take good care of me if Mary goes. I don't know what I shall do next year without her, I cannot bear to think of it, and I want to see her all I can this year. We want so many things at home that Mary can see to, that I want her to go. She says my courage will fail before the time comes, but I guess it will not. Be sure and write soon.