Dear Calvin,

Your picture is one of the most taking things I've ever seen. I've hung it in Mamma's room for the present but Hilda says it must be brought down here. Ruby framed it in green passe partout and it makes a very pretty picture. Mama said it quite cheered up her room and I'm not in mine much.

Old Mrs. Forster presented me with some peaches when I told her it was my birth day. So I'm going to take her a piece of my cake to morrow. The rest is to be kept for Saturday when you two are here.

I posted Tom's letter first in case he should wonder whether his enclosure reached me alright.

The smallpox scare seems to have about blown over. There are numerous watchmen and nurses etc. so it is not allowed to spread. Hilda has come home from prayer meeting and by her bawling, I fear it did not do her the desired good.

Mrs. McNair's opinion of Connie Barclay managing the widower is that the Balmers will break it off. So prayer meeting also furthers gossiping.

We are having very cold weather but our house is nice and cosy. Small houses are very nice in winter although I won't be sorry to see our old house again.

I've eaten so much all day I'm feeling too well fed. I wish you could have been partakers of the fine dinner, although Ruby said you'd probably be having apple pie and ice cream.

Mary makes desperate efforts to keep clean, last time the hot water upset all over her bed room and to-night she upset the granite wear jug at the foot of the stairs into the dining room. And so the united family are occupied in wiping it up.

Must close as it is late.

Yours affect.'

Edna