My dear dear Cally

How glad I shall be, when I hear you come trotting in the door once more. We are so lonely without you. Hilda's birthday was on Tuesday, but we kept it on Saturday. Katie made her a cake, but we did not have any party, because we could not forget that dear grandmama and sweet little Muriel were gone¹. Tiny [Mary] likes her school very much, but she was not very well yesterday and last night had to take a dose of medicine which she made a dreadful fuss about, so that she had to stay home from school. Last Tuesday which was my birthday, she went down town and came home with a great bunch of grapes which she bought for me with her own money. Grandpapa gave Hilda a knife, fork, and spoon in a case like he gave you.

I hope you are feeling quite well and happy and that you are not lonely. I am glad to hear you are a little better. We have a nice new girl for housemaid called Bella and I think you will like her very much. And now, my dear little boy, I trust you never forget to say your prayers and ask Lord to take care of you and help you and I hope you are always attentive to what uncle Calvin tells you.

Papa is away at Hespeler² & every body has gone to bed so good night my dear little boy

Your own mama.

¹ Mary's mother, Mary-Jane (McIllwaine) Baker died August 12, 1882. Mary's daughter Muriel McQuesten died August 27, 1882 at the age of 18 mths.

² Isaac was involved with the Hespeler Manufacturing Company which processed raw wool and cotton. The mill went bankrupt around 1887 with $900 000 in liabilities, see W2652.