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My room. Tuesday afternoon.
Dear Sister Nealie,
How often within a few days I have desired to sit down and answer your sorrowful letter, You really felt quite sadly, as though you had been actually injured, didn't you, Well, it was rather vexation to have your projects, and plans foiled, so shamefully. Nevertheless your missive reached me in its time, I was in the washroom, when it arrived, Mary brought it me, I broke the seal hastily, and as quickly read the few lines it contained, I could not help laughing at all the trouble I had cost you, so ineffectual, did all your pains prove, after all. I imagined I saw the big tears trickling down your cheek, at every word, and for two or three days actually fancied, I heard your trembling voice, pouring into my ear, the tale of your griefs.
I had previously engaged three boarding places, guessing at the matter as near as I could. I was, and am still, in quite a quandary, as to who is coming. I had about made up my mind that Pa & Ma, and yourself were the ones, but last evening, I received a letter from Rachel, stating that Pa was yet undecided how he should come, and she could therefore give me no definite answer. I think if you come by public conveyance she will accompany you. She seemed very disappointed to find his plans were thwarted. I am afraid you will come by private conveyance and she will feel disposed to give up her place, and remain at home. Now, this will never do. Ma must come, I cannot have it otherwise.
Another query suggests itself to my mind, Will Lois [?] Hollister have to come alone by public conveyance, if we come by private? I don't see how it is possible to transport us both, with our baggage. Was there ever one involved in such a labyrinth of doubt? My greatest fear is, that Ma will not come and this I cannot be reconciled to. I presume the cars would bring and carry us all why not come by way of them? However this matter belongs to Pa to decide. I have engaged a very pleasant boarding place at Mrs. Dunlap's, near the Seminary, I think perhaps she would take another boarder if Rachel should come, or Pa might possibly find a boarding place at the public house. There is no doubt but he can find a sitting [?] place somewhere, within the vicinity of the Sem. I hope you have it in your hearts to start early Monday morning, in order that you may arrive the same evening, or next morning.
I have an examination each day, and if you would not fail of hearing me fail, come in good season. It will be delightful for you to be here again Nealie, with some of your old friends. I am so sorry Marion Peet cannot come. Give my love to her if you see her, and Rachel also, and tell Rachel to persevere in persisting to come, and I guess, a Yankee Guess, that she will accomplish her object. Nealie, you spoke in one of your letters of Aunt Hattie, very incidentally to be sure, which has me to presume she was in Salisbury. You said something or other, about her being at our house. I do hope I have devised aright, & that she is surely there, oh! how happy I should be to see her. Give my love to all my friends. Soon I shall be there to dispense, and distribute it myself. Nealie can you realize that in a week I am done with school forever? I shall have a long vacation indeed at the close of this term. I do not suppose you will have time to answer this letter, you may do it in person next Monday or Tuesday if you please.
Your sister Hattie.