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Dear Mother. Samuel thinks of going to Milo to morrow if it was only sleighing I would go with him but dare not undertake over this rough frozen ground. You see we are in serious earnest about the book. I wish we could one of us see you and talk it all over. you would feel differently about it. We have got 25 pages all ready. it will probably make more than that printed. You know there are a great many things that you can remember that we know nothing about, at least that you can tell enough of so that we can make up the rest nicely. So please remember some of your works and conversations - you sisters together -all about picking wool or spinning flax or anything- Aunt Conant's wise sayings & Aunt William's witty ones. when you girls together about your work- your stepmother's sayings and doings &c. &c. We are very anxious for you to come down and enter upon the work with us- you can help so much. You see 'tis a serious business even the making of Anne's fortune, so she won't have to teach school any more! When I come, which I hope will be the very first of sleighing, I will bring what we have and read to you -but the important thing is for the whole matter to be kept a profound secret from all but you and I and Anne. Samuel & Eliab don't know a lisp of it. We have planned for one to go up & make my visit at Milo & Brownville the first of sleighing, then for you to come back with me, or as soon thereafter as you can. to stay the rest of the winter & spring- and after you are here for Anne to go