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Dearest John. I have but a minute to spare, but must tell you how perfectly happy I was. I receive your sweet letter. I think you are the kindest, best, most loving brother imaginable, and love you accordingly. Strange that I should for a moment think that you did not "love me as I love you." and sure am I that "no knife can cut our love in two." No, nor your love for Miss M. either! You may love her just as much as ever you want to and I shant say s word, but some of these times I'll find a love myself, & then you'll be jealous, especially if it should be Mr. Nickolas R. Wade! Dont you think you could make up your mind to like him, & not think him "an old granny"? I begin to think I was rather hasty in my rejection of his addresses, & dont know but I might let him renew them, if you would only give him your full approval. I'm getting mighty tired of this sort of a way of living, & would like almost anything for a change. Miss Thomas has gone, and Jane's face was a mile long for two days, but Jule & I succeeded in making her smile by the end of the second day, and by the third morning she laughed out loud - (Romaine is exercising her exaggeration powers wonderfully. I did not know they were capable of such expansion) I suppose Ma informed you of the doleful state of affairs at the Sem. And as Julia was not at all well & lived out we make her come & stay two or three days here to get nomited? + Miss Thomas was here Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. Then Jule came on Thursday, & went home on Saturday eve. I think you