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Friday Dearest Johnny, I could talk to you an hour - but must condense upon a page - Jane has probably told you that we are just now enjoying a visit from Sarah & her children- she has her nurse too - Charlotte & babe on a Mary Cape? are here also so you see we have a goodly family to see to - considering we have no girl - ours having left us quite unexpectedly on Saturday - but Mary helps and we get along quite nicely - and Pa is quietly well and pleasant, which after all is the principal thing - I am so sorry, so very sorry, he does not let Jane go to you we are all very anxious about it and very willing to go but what can we do, dear John - unclear he may change My poor dear Charlotte came home quite sick and feeble with a very bad cold & cough, and quite discouraged about herself- she had a great deal of fever and no appetite - We are doing all we can to patch her up, and Pa is gibing her medicine so I hope she may recover, but she has no stamina and can endure nothing - I told her when she went she might not do it and that it was at the risk of her life - you know she is not very prudent. Why could not Julia come to us- we would do all we could to make her comfortable - I think it would be good economy in you to have her make a visit of 3 months at that time instead of later in the season - to all her friends - you could either shut up house or take some small family on board with them - we should be very happy to have either end of the visit - and I do think it could be a good plan think about it I suppose Jane has told you every thing - I am only writing to tell you how much I love you but a sheet is not sufficient