[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]South Hadley Feb. 1844.
Dear Mother
What do you think of me, for delaying so long, to answer your letter? I beg your pardon most sincerely, for this seeming neglect, but let me tell you, it is impossible to find any time, for this sort of business, here, at least at present. Miss Whitman informed us the other day, that we should be obliged to apply ourselves very closely to study, this term, in order to have more leisure next summer. I don't know what we are coming to. I thought our time pretty well occupied last term. By the way, I wrote a few lines last Wednesday to you, but forgot to send it on Thursday and Friday morning, and at last made up my mind that it was not worth sending at all, and so tore it up, and used it for scribbling paper. I dont know but this will meet the same fate for I cannot find a pen that will make a decent mark as for my Mulpins [?] they are good for nothing. You must not expect a long letter now for I am homesick and sleepy and tired and I feel every moment as though I was taking time from my studies[.] I shall be glad indeed if I ever see the time when I am not so hurried[.] Perhaps I had better put up any pen to night, as it is nearly time for the retiring bell to ring and try my skill again in the morning.
I feel better this morning and if I had a decent pen I would endeavor to write the remainder a little more intelligible but fate has decreed it otherwise, and so I must scribble on with the same old stump, and make the best of it I can. Oh I am hardly deathly don't you think so? A pen without a point, a crumbling hand, a heavy heart. Do you wonder that I cannot write? Charlotte sits laughing at my troubles, and I am half inclined to laugh too, for my fountain of tears is nearly dry. Oh! that I could weep, and thus unburden my overflowing heart. But no more of this. I fear I have already vexed you, with my petty complaints.
I received a letter from Rachel last week, and have already commised [?] an answer, and your letter, dear Mother, how acceptable it was. I was feeling very sad, when it came, but it cheered me instantly. I wish you would write oftener. It seems to me among you all at home, that I might hear from you, at least once in a week. I can send a letter very soon, but it takes some time to write one. Why do not Phebe and Lucy write? I fear their affection for me, is not so strong, as I had flattered myself.
I believe I did not mention to you, in my note that Nell had come[.] Yes, she is here, and beloved by us all; the whole school take[s] a most burly [?] interest in her. One cannot look upon her without loving her, she is so mild, so gentle, so amiable. There is nothing in her looks or appearance to remind one of her Indian with except her high and noble forehead and her jet black glory hair[.] Oh! she is beautiful; such an expression of innocence, playing upon her lovely countenance. Perhaps you think me too enthusiastic, but could you see her, I am sure you would not call it exaggeration.
We found the Litchfield County circle all assembled, on our arrival in South Hadley, and wondering why Harriet and Charlotte did not come. We just escaped tardiness, and the fifteen minutes bell had run, when we arrived. Mary Brinsmade, has suffered much with the toothache, since her return, and Mary Comstock, is now groaning under one of the homesick chills, of which I have spoken. All the rest are well, I believe. Ellen Lewis, and myself, have commissed Mrs. Hemans poems, read fifteen minutes every day. I find it a delightful 15 min. You said Mr. Capling arrived home safe, and in good spirits. I think he must have had a delightful time. We never said boo to him all the way.
Now don't look so surprised. I am sure we are not to blame. How could we beguile a long journey of seventy miels, when all we could force from him, a short yes, and no. We did sometimes, however, hear a low gutteral sound, as of distant thunder, and on looking around to inquire the cause, behold he was trying to sing. Oh! we have had so much sport over it; and then to crown all, the mornign before he started, as he was coming from the public [inn?], with William Brinsmade, Mary's brother, he asked him what ceremony he was going through when he got here, whether he should knock, or ring the doorbell, or walk right up to the girls rooms. I imagine he would have met with rather a cold reception, if he had marched up to No 11, for it is against the rule to take any gentleman to our room without permission, not excepting our fathers.
But I should stretch out [this?] letter to an enormous length, if I should relate to you all the funny incidents, that occurred in the short space of those two days. Suffice it to say, we all sat down and had a hearty laugh over it, after he had gone.
We are now receiving a course of lectures on anatomy, and physiology, from Professor Hitchcock, of Amherst College. They are very interesting, but I have not time to tell you about them now. Fanny and Charlotte both send much love to you, and the girls their respects to Pa[.] My love to you all
From your affectionate
HattieConfidential
Do you still continue your visits at Mr. M--s and how do they all get along there. Oh! I am very anxious to hear. Your last letter was encouraging to be sure, but then it is such a flattering discourse. Write soon very soon and tell me all about it[.] My love to him when you see him[.] No more at present Good bye[.]