Sunday June 28Dear Mamma:-
I had just written the date when Mrs. Warfield came in with some apples - Golden Pippins and good - and some butternuts. Next she brought in some root-beer, so we've had these on top of our Sunday night lunch of crackers and milk and cake.
I'm glad you had such a pleasant time in Nashua and that Mr. Nixon has paid up so well. Guess Mr. Clough will look out for things all right. I wonder whether you stayed over in Boston or went on yesterday to Mittie's. I am glad you will have a chance to see Louise. I should like to see her myself. I suppose Western Reserve opens early next fall as it did last so she can't stop in South Hadley, but I wish she could. Give them my love.
Elizabeth came Friday and does not seem as such tired as last year. I guess the last weeks went pretty well in school. I want to get her around to Mary Lyon's birthplace, but I never knew her to walk so far. It is all the way up hill going too - but a pretty walk. The view from Dea. Warfield's pasture is fine. We went up there yesterday, and I have been before.
There is a pine grove just a few minutes' walk from the house where there was a picnic Friday - the Baptists from Shelburne Falls. It is a pretty grove, though with no seats &c and not very large. We were over there this afternoon reading. I have used that grey shawl every day, I guess. And the pillowcover I brought I have used too - filled it with hay. The partridge-berry blossoms in the grove are lovely. Emma sent me some of the little twin-flower, but it was all faded. Better ask the children to get you some of that, it is so pretty and it must grow commonly in Phillips and be in flower now.
There are a few red-raspberries along the roads here just ripening. I wish there were more.
Did you get the goods for your dress in Boston? And have any trouble about your ticket? I hope not.
The Charlemont minister preached this morning - better than the one that belongs here, but you can say that and not say much.
There was a band concert Friday night, but we did not go. The music sounded well from here. There was also ice-cream for sale, and I wanted some, but it was rather far to walk for that when I'd already been up that hill three times.
You needn't worry about my being tired. I feel first rate, and shall be able to o the work at Cornell easily enough, I think. I've read a little chemistry, but not enough to hurt me any. And some of my clothes are mended. The storekeeper got me some gasoline in Shelburne Falls, and I gasolined both my grey waists. They're very much improved. I ironed them out Friday. Guess I shall get at the tablecloth this week. It's like running a mowing machine to operate Mrs. Warfield's machine, but I can make it go fairly well for a while. It's an old Singer.
Miss Smith says Mrs. Packer is going to stay in Newburyport over today and that she has done quite a lot of sewing for her mother. She says Mrs. Packer and her mother sit up till late at night playing Flinch.
I must write to Lucy Baker. Elizabeth said she might go to Cornell and I should be embarrassed to see her there without having written to her for so long.
Good night. Love to you,
Abby.