Dear Mamma:-I never saw anything skip along like the time Sunday evening. There were a few notes I had to write, for Mr. Williston sent me a bill to check up (!) and one of the girls wanted a list of books to help in her teaching, and now it's nine o'clock. They have a curfew at nine here in Cambridge, so I hear that altho there are no clocks near by.
I guess the Inauguration ceremonies are over, and Pres. Lowell must be tired out. He has had such a series of big dinners where he had to make speeches, to say nothing of the real inauguration. I think his address was fine. I've just read it today.
Yesterday Nell and I went out by trolley to Randolph to see Edith Redman Hamlin. She has a big house and four lively children. I guess they've had a good summer at the shore all right. They lived in a shack most of the time while their cottage was going up. Edith seems well and happy - another baby on the way. The oldest is six, then one four and two younger still. The two little girls are unusually pretty and attractive children. One has blue and one dark eyes, and both beautiful curly hair. The oldest boy has just begun school. I never liked Chris so well. He is certainly nice with the children and has had spunk enough to buy a Jersey cow, and to lead her to pasture and milk her for two weeks until he could get a boy. A sister of his is with them now. The housekeeping isn't anything great, but they all seem cheerful. We stayed to dinner and got home about nine. The colors out in the country are lovely.
Then this morning I went out to walk in Arlington with three of the people from the house. Mr. Blood, a very nice man, and his son about Newman's age knew of this nice hilly region where it looks like real country. It's much warmer than when we were in Phillips, but the colors are fine. I may go out to Andover for next Sunday or the Sunday after. I'd like to have it rain first for it is dry and hazy.
I'm planning to get over to Roxbury some night this week. I don't like to go in the evening very well for it takes so long, but I guess I'll have to.
This afternoon I went in to the Emmanuel Church for the vesper service at four. It was very pleasant too. Dr. McComb preached and there is a good boy choir with an organ recital after the service. The organist didn't play as well as Prof. Hammond however.
At the Harvard inauguration the other day I met Evelyn Worthley Sites. She is home for a year's leave, with her husband. Also Florence Blunt with her cousin Miss Tolman. Four of us '96 people were together after the exercises, for we found Jane. This seems to be a great place to meet people unexpectedly I saw Pres. Woolley in the procession but not close to.
I inclose the cemetery bill [no longer with the letter] which was forwarded to me instead of you. I didn't understand about the dressing so haven't paid it, but I can if you'll say what is to be done. I paid for the bank vault box the other day. The bill came as I expected. I knew it was about due.
That medicine of Elizabeth's she had all labelled, but Mittie broke the bottle and so it was transferred. It's a teaspoonful in a little water, and she takes it once a day or three or four times, or even takes two teaspoonfuls if necessary. I've seen her do it so many times that I'll not have to write to her. Shake well. If Jessee wants more she can get the address from Elizabeth - Elizabeth [perhaps Elizabeth McKee] hasn't the prescription, but the man sends her the medicine, I believe. 74 Whalley Ave, New Haven is Elizabeth's address. The Dr. told her that in these chronic cases there's nothing surer to give a setback than roast beef or steak - any beef except very thoroughly cooked pot-roast. I don't know whether it's the treatment, but I thought not. Jessee had better look out - Elizabeth can tell her it's no fun even now. Perhaps she'd better see some Cleveland physician, but she'd better be sure he's good on digestive disorders. I am sorry Mina is so poorly - but even so she may not grow worse fast. She has seemed about the same ever since the bunch was opened, hasn't she?
My work isn't all planned yet. It takes time. But I have plenty to do in reading up the subject of muscular contraction. I shall work on that probably. I don't know what German tutor I shall get, but I hope to get things all started this week. In the physiology I may do nothing but read until Xmas! There is enough to last until then.
I have written a note to Mrs. Smith, and sent her that braid like your black silk front that I've been meaning to send so long. I have a drop-light now. The Misses Salter and I divided the cost, which seems to me a very fair arrangement, as I really couldn't expect them to provide one,and yet I had to have one.
I didn't notice that Dr. Sprague appeared particularly melancholy. He talked gold mine mostly. But I don't doubt that Jessee can make it a little pleasanter for him. He never confided in me as in her!
I must stop now and take this out to the box and go to bed.
Love to you -
Abby.Edith Wallace goes to N.Y. this week. I expect to see her on her way through.
That medicine of Elizabeth's ought to be kept cool. She says her Dr. has a lot of correspondence patients.