Sem Feb 13th 1862.My dearest Mother -
I was so delighted to hear from you that I thought I must immediately answer it. The box I received Thursday night - how or when it came I know not - but found it in the eve on the window in the south wing. (Sarah knows where) the place where all express parcelles are left - although there was no mark telling that it came so. The sack delighted my eyes, the pictures my heart, & the food my mouth. You cant [sic] imagine how much good those things did me. Mothers picture is very good, but Pa's I dont like a bit - the one I had of him before is so much better that I dont hang the last one up dont think it does the man half justice.
I was afraid that you would not write me Sat night, thinking that the box was enough, but was most happily disappointed, if you should ever fail in sending Sat I dont know what would become of me, really I think twice as much of your letters as I did when Sarah was with me, and always long for Sat night to come. I like my roommate very much and am more contente
nd than I ever supposed I could be, really happy - we have gymnastics 3 times a week instead of walking, practice in the square drying room - way out over the wash room. Miss French has one class, between 20 & thirty 30 in in [sic] class, have just commenced playing with bean bags - t'is great fun. Our singing class is nearly the same as last term, although some are absent. I practice once a week on the Piano, 1 hour, Wed P.M. I thought that was as much time as I could get as I have to read 15 minutes every day. Miss Blanchard teaches - I told you before that our box for the soldiers was going last week, but it did not, as they are sending much more than they expected, we work all the leisure we can get, sewing on slippers, bags, pin balls, scraping limb bandages &cc, the slippers are really quite elegant - some of them are hassels, all carpeting, lined with brown cotton flannel, the box will be quite a large one. I sent my name in my mittens, as did ever so many others, some sewed them into the pin balls, others rolled them in the balls of yarn, &c. We have our meetings every night, at the fifteen before supper, they are quite fully attended, and although there is no special interest yet they are very interesting, some nights the room is full, we have different objects for prayer every night in the week, we still have our section meetings Sun night at the hour bell. Miss Bowers does not meet with us, but the girls take turns in having the charge of it.Mr Adams poor man! you say is sick & sighs for Jemima - he really needs a Jemima dont he? think you must have had a hard time. Mr Adams sick, and the association too, wish I could have been there to help eat [sic], though I dont care much about waiting upon the ministers. Has Auntie gone to Boston yet? she says nothing about it, is it given up? I told Miss Bowers about the collar, she laughed, and said she did'nt [sic] want you should trouble to make it, if she had thought you ought to, she should have furnished the beads. Cousin Marys slippers are progressing. I fear I shall be out of work, wish I could offerd [?] to
makedo some fancy work. You said nothing about my gloves. I have nothing but kid to wear, what shall I do? I'm very sorry, but dont know what to do. Sarah if you have my pity, do in your next, send a [...] [...bject]. I'm entirely exhausted, remember! Mother my room mate Elizy furnishes a little spread, and she had some double yellow curtains, but as I have some left them in her old room. I found that instead of these two pair of pillow cases I had but three, 3 cases.If Mr Adams sent his love to me, you may give mine to him, but if not dont as I dont like to be his [...], wish Ada & Clara would write next time. I've nothing to say about Pa.
Mrs Snell came over with A [...] came to see me but I was not here. Clara Clarke I believe came & Lizzie &ce I cant remember any more. Had a nice time at Mr Clarks, went to lecture with them, it was very fine. There is none this week. Henry & Clara came home with us. You ask who Carrie Sharp is? Dont you know the butter [?] girls? Sophia Hayes was alone now. It was arranged for her with Lizzie Prentiss but she is not well here now. It is only 3 weeks before Sarah will be here Hurrah!! wish Sarah would bring the odd one when she comes, as I hope to have this washed much oftener than I otherwise should. Sarah If I should try to tell you. of all who inquire for you and send love I should more than fill a sheet - but I'll rack my brain and see if I can remember a part. Lucy Wright & Maggie Cox send love, and say they shall write as soon as possible. M. [...] also says she has comm. a letter - Lu. Chase, L Snow, Liz Buck, S. Horton, Annie Church, Lizzie Whitney [Elizabeth Jewett Whitney 1863], Miss Keyes Mary Perry & room mate, M. Beaman, wish you would remind Seriel [?] that she owes me a letter.
[No signature, but probably written by Sarah Clarke's sister Aurora, as Aurora is also at the Seminary in February of 1862.]