Hylsted Farm in DoverMarch 29, 1914
My dear Miss Turner:
You also no doubt are this day groaning under the grey skies and the cold north wind that blows its biting breath on fond hopes of spring. I had a dream of finishing the pleasant task of tying up the grape vines, having spent Friday afternoon aloft with pruning shears astride of the pergola beams. But nothing of this today. The tulips on the south side are four inches above the ground, the spiraeas are almost out, the sweetbriar by the door is a lovely green, and all the clans of spring are in readiness to march out when Apollo blows the trumpet. But his face is hidden and I am in consequence very fretful. I wish I could see your apron. I was greatly tied to that apron in the happy days of yore. When shall you return to renew the freshness of the laboratory.
We are having - except for your defection - a prosperous year. I have finally proved beyond contradiction that the percentile method is the only correct way to measure vasomotor reflexes between 25 and 90 mm. Hg pressure. We have had fortunate researches on diphtheria and pneumonia and I feel a scent for a work on the dual nature of the vasomotor centre.
The family sail from Naples April 15, reaching New York April 28.
It will be a great day at the farm. They have been away almost two years.
We plan all to go to Berlin next winter, provided I can arrange matters with the University. See what it is to have a daughter who must learn German. I should myself rather stay at home, if it were not for being again condemned to a solitary confinement.
I am very sorry about Philadelphia.
Yours faithfully
W. T. Porter