19 WALTON PLACE
Dearest.
Here we are, most comfortable and happy in a fine hotel, with excellent things to eat and every inducement to loaf. Your mother has seemed very well yesterday and today and came in this morning from a ride on the board walk in the best possible spirits. I haven't seen your father [illegible] for a long time --and as for me I find the situation altogether delightful save for the book which met me here and seems to me horribly detached and patched. I can hardly [page 2] bear to look at the outside of it much less to open it. I haven't confided to my fellow [travelers] but if their daughter were here she would hear a terrible tale of woe!
I got your first letter here only yesterday, just as your mother had yours written from [Nîmes] -- I hope that your poor head is better and that the [car?] didn't "gather" as if the good spirit merely [two illegible words] and does your head thump and roar. I am sure the enthusiasm for [page 3] Avignon was genuine -– and I am so glad you went there -- if you had only managed to come over to the Alhambra too.
I keep thinking of you as in Florence, I hope you got there in time for Easter. I will confess that even my bold Unitarian spirit [quailed] a little before speaking to the Ethical Society in Phila. on Easter Sunday [although] I did my [prettiest]. I will confide to you alone that I have never spoken ↑so↓ well for so many times as during this trip. It has altogether been very successful socially and financially and in [page 4] [relics?] for the Labor Museum. After this rest and fuel, I expect to go home prepared for valiant deeds.
I saw Miss Bush twice, she is a little of the woman [illegible] type but more attractive than most -- and cares enormously for Robert Archey -- he certainly has secured it at last. Mr Cole was as nice to me as possible in Boston and I dined at the new South End House which is much more attractive than the old one -- the new club house is not yet built. Miss Scudder and Miss Dudley are in Rome -- the latter having [page 5] spent most of the winter in Sicily. I wish you could see them and make an explanation to Mrs Dudley of that old affair. I didn't have the courage to [talk] it over with Mary Kenney whose delight over the advent of her daughter is something touching. Rogers was quite pretty and Mortimer at least quite friendly. Many people all along the line have sent love to you. You are very solid in Henry St. Miss Wald and Miss McDowell are going to visit H. H. on their way home from Cal. [where] I mean to try my best to be hospitable and careful. I have been elected a delegate for the Chicago Woman's Club -- J. Lathrop writes. [page 6] Brother Hunter takes to N.Y. most kindly and they are going to like him I think. Sister Brockway is going to take a position in Cleveland with the visiting Nurses Ass'n for a year, the salary is larger and there is a chance for the headship. Miss Lathrop urged the change for deep and caring reasons I think.
The first day I saw your mother, she seemed to me not nearly so well as usual but I feel now as if I must have been mistaken, and if she continues to improve as she has for the last two days we will go home with [page 7] flying colors -- the sea certainly does agree with her. The case of your cousin [Francis] in someway disappointed her very much I think, perhaps because she seemed like such an invalid, but she spoke more cheerfully even of that today, and we are getting on famously. If Cornelia stays in Chicago a month, I am sure this time will go fast. They are both very fond of little Chas. Mather and tell of his speeches and tasks with real pride and devotion. Please give my best love to E. Smith, it must be great [page 8] fun to be with her in Italy. I am sorry to have written so little but I have been working on schedule time and will do better for all the rest of the time. I have "cleared" $500.00 an extra lecture came in at [Lowell], where I made a fine connection with the textile school. Prof Wilson of the Commercial Museum has also become a firm friend of the L. M. -- With all love and devotion always yrs. J. A.
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