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a little more than a fortnight: when she came, she did intend to stay a part of the time at Jos's boarding house, but we concluded she had best stay with me: Mrs. Palmer was very polite and kind, asked her to stay a week longer, said her daughter might visit her at Milo next summer so I conclude she do'nt intend to take pay for board. She went into school with me most every day: helped me some, and spent her time partly in drawing for which she has really talent as well as taste. If money was more plenty it would a fine plan for her to spend the ensuing winter here: she could benefit me essentially in school, perfect herself in drawing and French, and especially she needs the ease and polish of manner, acquired by living much in good society: we have all from oldest to youngest stood in our own light by not mingling more in society that we have done, & it has been, in a degree, our own fault, in part at least, owing to the indomitable pride of our family which will not suffer us to make advances for fear we should not be met half way. I believe you are not so bad as some of the rest of us. Lucy did not visit bu twice, though she made some other calls. Mrs. Walter Brown owed her some attention on account of Eliab but their house is undergoing repairs so she was no in a situation to have company, therefore I excuse her, I do'nt feel satisfied with Sarah Harlow's treatment of Lucy. When there has been so much intimacy: she did not call on her either last winter or now though I told her she was here & how long she was to stay. I have not the least idea there was any intentional slight bu only culpable carelessness, just such as our folds have been guilty of many a time. Lucy & I tried pretty hard to get Eliab to carry to Mount Hope some day while she was here but there was no time when he could go himself when Mr. B's horse could be had; at least so he judged, & he was a better judge than we, thought it did seem but reasonable that he should devote two or three hours to his sister when she comes so seldom. It seems to me ruinous not only to the body, but to the soul, that business is, and must be so absorbing