| Description | A pathetic trio of letters, full of duty but with an underlying note of despair and loneliness. She is doing her best, aware of her inadequacies; she is lonely; a note from Willie hoping to see his mother soon; Katherine is "dreadfully lonely"; Master Hubert has had toothache and consequently, castor oil! She misses Mrs Kenrick - "I could'nt [sic] stand it long"; "I do not envy you nor any one else that has servants, that are troublesome piece of goods. I would worry myself into Consumption if I had to pay them, and see the work done too"; a Mr Hair arrived, bag and baggage, but departed on learning of Mrs K's absence - "I was rather insulted, he thought of course I couldn't wait upon the "Apostles" and my appearance worldly I dare say"; enquires : "have you any steel pens in the West there, the one I have is enough to send "Job" out of patience"; the house is ready for Mrs K's return; concludes : "I am afraid my epistle will read sleepy, as I felt so while writing".
[One warms to dear Katherine, whoever she was.] |