Thursday Oct. 11, 1849Dear Mother,
I did intend to write you a good long letter this time, but I shall not be able. I have so much to do that I cannot find the time, I am studying Latin, & French, & occasionally examining in Arithmetic. I sleep with Miss Chapin, one of the teachers, you know, whom I love dearly. She went home yesterday, with Mr & Mrs [Ozro] French, missionaries from the same station [Marathi Mission in India] as Mr. & Mrs. Hazen (her sister). I slept alone last night. I do not know whether she will be back to-night or not, she expected to when she went, but it is so very rainy, I think it is doubtful.
Sue thought last week when she did not feel very well, that she would have been homesick enough, if I had not been here. She is nicely though now, she studied too hard, for a few days, when she first came back.
Father wanted to know about our fare here, it was, I believe, $1.20 from Lowell to Worcester, & $1.60 from Worcester to Springfield. I forgot to tell him before.
We have had very unpleasant weather, most of the time since we came back. I have washed twice, & my clothes look quite nice, because they were out in the rain. It is not very bad to wash here, I think. That letter you sent me was from Abby Fletcher. I was glad you sent it.
How are all the girls? And other people too, at home? Give my love to them all. Sometimes I "kinder" wish I was at home, for I think you are so lonely, that I ought to be with you. But I hope that I will prove for the best, that I am here. Has Sarah [...] been to Cabotville yet? Cally [?] Bayley, from Boston is here this year, she says, Mrs. [...] is to be married this fall.
Mrs. Condit is alone, a good deal of the time, & she says she misses Helen so much, even more than she thought she should. I have got to examine a class in Arithmetic to night so that I cannot spare the time to write more Sue I guess will finish.
[handwriting change]
Mary thought I would finish this, but I have not time to write any, for the letter ought to be in the box now. I have had considerable of the headache the past week, but it is well now. I can't write more now.
good bye Susan.