[Paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Home Sept 14th 1881
Dear Sister Jennie
Your card came this morning and we were glad you got through all right. Rob. came and Annie went yesterday afternoon. Annie was very comfortably fixed in the lower berth of a sleeper.
My affairs are still unsettled. The Board [The Board of Foreign Missions], some of them, have gotten it into their heads that I ought to stay at home with mother or rather that you and Mother are not willing for me to go to China at present. I do not know how they got the impression but it must be eradicated before I can be appointed. You know just how the matter stands and I guess you will have to write a letter & tell them what you think not about the advisability of my going to China or the probability of my being contented and happy when I get there but about my duty with regard to mother.
I am sorry to have to worry you with it. If I could only have anticipated this the thing might have been settled at the meeting on Monday. So many things seem to come up to hinder my going that I feel almost afraid to start. "The Lord only knows" whether I can go or not, "and He won't tell"[.] Mother has written to them this morning and you must sit right down as soon as you get this and write yours.
All are well. Will write again as soon as I am a little more settled. With a great deal of love
Yours in haste
Sister Lillie.