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confinement. Brother Erasmus wife a long time ago was thought to be in the consumption but she became pregnant during her pregnancy the inflamation in her lungs was subdued & she has been well ever since. If you are pregnant I want you with me as much as possible so that I can look after you & make you as happy as I can & do all that is possible to remove the inflation in your lungs. If you return west I shall be very anxious to have Lydia or Mary return with you & if we go on to our farm you shall have Bill & the buggy to ride & go just where you wish & when you wish. In any case if we go back to the farm we will not keep a dairy & will not attempt to make any more butter than we use ourselves. Neither will we board any help for the farm. We can get along with what I earn here & the proceeds of the farm & the sale of some stock & not keep a dairy or board any one but our own family. I want if you can find at the Home in Boston an interesting & good girl some ten or twelve years old you should take her provided you think she will be useful to you & we shall love her. There will doubtless be a school near our prairie farm this summer. If you get a good & interesting little girl we can give her a good home & she can be of use to us. If you are pregnant I think our child will be a little girl from the [fact] the impregnation took plan just previous to your menses. Did you not have a similar small flow of menses when you were first impregnated when gave birth to our little girl. From what I have recently read I think the time of impregnation influences & determines the sex. I understand that the ovaries of a woman is each month gradually developed if it a female but in its full development it is male. This I see has been demonstrated in animals beyond a doubt. If you are pregnant you will be glad to have a girl I know & so shall I. Our boys need a sister. Be sure & tell me all about yourself & your feelings & what you think is best to do. I want Mary should go to Lawrence with you. You cannot take care of all three of the children

(along the side of page) on the way & they will be glad to see her. You pay her fare if she will go. With a loving kiss I bid you a sweet good night. Your affectionate husband. N. Kendall