My dear dear boy,

Saturday was a day of surprises. As nothing had been heard from H.W, Pidgeon, I went over in the morning to see Mr. Chisholm, who said he was just going to send me word that a letter had just come, declining our call, and the next thing was to hear the brother at Markham. Poor Mr. C. is so tied up with Mr. L. away and Miss Roly too as her brother in Montreal is ill with appendicitis, that I was obliged to go with Mr. Leitch. When I reached home there was Cal. so we all had dinner together, and then he started off, and Mr. L. and I by the 3:40 G.T.R. which made direct connection with the Midland R.R. We reached Markham about 6 o'clock the rain pouring down, but it did not matter, as a bus took us to the village hostelry. It was a very clean decent, comfortable little place and no rough people about it, the bar was closed on the Sabbath and it was almost painfully quiet.

We went twice to the Presbyterian Church. I made Mr. L. go ahead and followed later. The minister was a fine looking good man and his sermons were good also, but he is not at all equal in any respect to his brother and would not suit us, because he has no attractive force about him. So we came home Monday morning, had no hurry as train did not leave til 9:20. The weather most beautiful, no storm like they had here on Sabbath. Had fifty minutes in Toronto, but knew you would be at lectures and came home by 11 o'clock train.

Was sorry to find that Cal. had such a terrible experience at Binbrook, losing his time and salary too. It was very trying. The Sabbath Mr. Leitch had been in Peterboro on his way home from Montreal, he had been told by several different parties on the way, of the fine preaching of young Ketchen, who has been assistant of Dr. Torrance in P. So he went to hear him and was perfectly delighted. Dr. Lyle tells us that Prof. McFadyen considered him and young Macdonnel the two coming men of their class. So a deputation is to hear him and if they approve also, they are to offer him a call before returning. Dr. Lyle says, we should not give it a second thought. We heard him once as a student and I liked him very much and thought him a fine fellow, so I do hope we shall soon be settled.

Well dearie, how are you getting along? You are a naughty little boy to talk about parents and babies as you do, but like other boys, do not always know what they are talking about, we smile when we hear you talk in your wisdom. It was lovely to have an opportunity of riding in "a sea-going hack." You won your side and Cal. said, he had all the fun he wanted without the work afterwards, as critic. Must close as bell, for prayer-meeting rings. With much love dearie.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten