Dearest Calvin,

It was quite a treat to read the letter you sent Tom, and your answers to some of my questions. It is a most wonderful mercy that you can preach without feeling it a strain, it just means every thing to a minister in more ways than one. Nervousness prevents a speaker doing his best. By-the-way that was a grand calendar you sent Tom it hangs over in the corner of our sitting-room and the crimson is quite effective on the green paper.

Ruby is more comfortable now than before and Christmas, but it is by taking the simplest nourishment, lime-water and milk bread and butter and rice. Last Sunday she lost her voice, but it had been very damp weather and we are hoping it will return but of course she is not gaining in strength. We are expecting Prof. Vander [Smissen] to stay over night he is coming up to give a lecture. Must close to catch post. You had not written me about your Sabbath in the country, it would be a pleasant change. Lorna thought Ruby sent the cat, dog &c. but I had got them, it does not matter it brought R. a letter. I was getting the time honoured animals for the family & thought you shouldn't be left out, and as you were at Lorna's thought they ought to have some too & we had laughed so often over Jimmie absolutely refusing to take a cat on his honeymoon.

With much love.

[M.B. McQuesten]