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                                                                                                 May 21st 1840

Dear Mother I suppose Lucy has written all the news by Mrs. Hatch and I did not see her letter and perhaps shall tell the same things: I should have written by him but have been so 'drivn' that I actually have not had time. You know most all my summer gowns were in piece and needed some fixing before I could wear any of them and I have so little time to work, that I get along rather slowly. My school, though much easier and pleasanter than last winter's, yet you can well imagine that with nearly 60 scholars of every different age from 9 to 18, I have enough to employ my energies both of body and mind. Lucy is considerable assistance to me, though I have no classroom to have two recitations going on at once but she spends a part of the forenoon in showing scholars how to do sums (I have 25 beginners in Smith's Arithmetic) and explaining Colburn, with which she get along very well, she is learning for herself and enjoys herself very much, there are about a dozen girls of her own age and older. She will get along very well for clothes, my small figured muslin fits her exactly and is long enough and will make her a good school dress. I have spent $1,03 upon her bonnet, had it bleached and pressed and altered a little making it under at the ears and larger in the crown, trimmed with light green ribbon and cape behind, and it is an elegant looking bonnet, the trimming will be suitable for next winter too. I thought it would be the best economy to get it done, though I did not know very well how to spare money, her shoes $1,25.- I found a tailoress to do Isaacs frock coat she took it in on the back and sleeves, and made it shorter, charged, 62 1/2: it is a genteel looking garment, just the thing he needs for next winter, but I am afraid he will have to wear it out now. He needs a thin school jacket, there are ready made linen ones which do not come very high, and Mr. Walker bought at auction two pair of thin pantaloons very low one of which Isaac can have for about 9/ and Mr W. owes him nearly a dollar towards paying it. Mrs Walker wants, some of your butter if you have any, was sorry they did not take that, they did not know till afterwards that some of it was here to