n just as he has always done, and is
perfectly happy. Dean Sharp sent him his last book a week ago,
and he has done nothing but read it and talk of it ever
since--his conversation in consequence is most tiresome. I miss
you awfully, my love. I never could stand theology, even when I
was surrounded by comforts, and now when I have to stint the
fires and suffer from cold feet, you may imagine how unpleasant
it is to me. My dear Hilda, I am afraid I shall not be able to
keep Miss Mills, she seems to get sillier every day; it is my
private conviction that she has a love affair on, but she's as
mum as possible about it. Poor Sutton cried in a most
heartrending way when she left; she said when leaving, 'I'll
never get another mistress like you, ma'am, for you never
interfere, even to the clearing of the jellies.' I am glad she
appreciates me, I didn't think she did while she was living with
us. The new cook can't attempt anything in the way of soup, so
I have given it up for dinner; but your father never appears to
miss it. The garden is looking horrible, so many weeds about.
The Anstruthers have all gone up to London--taken a house for
the season at an enormous price. How those people do squander
money; may they never know what it is for it to take to itself
wings!

"By the way, Judy has not been well; she caught cold or
something the day of your wedding, and was laid up with a nasty
little feverish attack and cough. We had to send for Dr. Harvey,
who said she had a chill, and was a good deal run down. She's up
again now, but looks like a ghost with her big eyes. She
certainly is a most peculiar child--I don't pretend to
understand her. She crept into the room a minute ago, and I told
her I was writing to you, and asked her if she had any message.
She got pink all over just as if she were going to cry, and then
said:

"'Tell Hilda that I am not fretting a bit, that I am as happy as
possible. Give her my dear love and heaps of kisses' (my dear
Hilda, you must take them for granted, for I am not going to put
crosses all over the letter).

"Then she ran out of the room as if she had nothing further to
say--really a most queer child. Babs is a little treasure and
the comfort of my life.

"Your affectionate old Aunt,
"MARJORIE."