A Letter Written on Mar 1, 1899

Dear Nellie,-

All the week I've wanted to write to you but I've been sick, - not sick enough to be out of school, only enough to come home at night nearly ready to weep with nervousness & weariness. To-day the little sugar pills seem to have reached the spot for this evening I'm lively enough to write you at least enough to show you that your letter of almost a month ago was appreciated. I confess that I would have been disappointed to have the Robin come from you with no word for me from you.

I know of no way to make you remember whether you are in my debt or I in yours, but if, as you intimate, it is a case of stamps, I certainly can enclose a stamp with my letters. Would that help bring a letter from you oftener? However, I must say that I feel flattered that you "read my letter all through twice." What have I done to deserve such honor? I've learned one thing, though, not to write anything to you that I wouldn't as [...] Abbie would see & vice versa!

You insinuate, it seems to me, that Martha & I are gossips. But really it is just as I told you, Martha is cracked on the getting engaged question & that's how it all started. The other day your name came up & Martha said eagerly "What does Nell write about that man?" "Oh," I said, "there's nothing in that." She shook her head in a disappointed way & signed "They certainly looked suspicious that day." I might have told her a more suspicious circumstance, namely that you are sure just how many times you saw him & also that Abbie writes enthusiastically of said man, but of course my loyalty to you restrained me and as far as Martha & I are concerned, Abbie the episode is a by-gone.

Those must be cunning little boys you frolic with so much.

Please notice that I have heeded your request & that this is written straight ahead with neither twisting nor turning.

Your description of the Cape as a "sand cake" doesn't make me so eager to go to Wood's Hole as I tho't I was, tho' if you think it advisable, I don't mind, - specially since I am an uncertain element. I shouldn't want to go east & not see Abbie, of course. That's an argument for Wood's Hole. I'll write to Caroline; I haven't yet. And let you know what she says.

Do you think of anyone else either available or desirable?

It breaks my heart to think of going another whole year without seeing any of my dear New England friends, but I can't promise yet. Mamma so far is perfectly neutral when I talk about it, tho' I know she wants me to go to Virginia Beach to see my "things-in-law" if I go anywhere, but even that is dubious. Which brings me back to the starting place & to reckoning my salary anew.

I am not doing anything just now nor even reading anything. This is a miserable letter I know as well as you, but if you'll pardon it & write to me soon, next time I'll surely be more entertaining.

I wish you were here to put me to bed while Mollie might play physician & look wise.

Good Night
L. F. B.

March the first.