Nov. 25, 1866
My dearest Mother,
Your letter filled me with delight. It always seems as though you had made such an effort to write to me that your letters are doubly precious. I am very sorry that you should have worked so hard getting Auntie and little Mary ready to leave. Are you quite rested now? Have they gone yet? I had a letter from Miss Gilbert yesterday, in which she said that Katie Penfield was in all probability at my Mother's. How glad you must have been to see her. I hope she will make you a nice visit, and that no other person will dare to show his or her nose inside of the house while she stays. By-the-way don't you think that Miss Penfield would feel complimented if she should see the manner in which I spoke of her a few lines higher up. Never mind, she'll never know, and I certainly meant no harm when I wrote it - How is George? I feel very anxious to hear from him. How do the family feel about him. Thanksgiving Day is almost here is it not? I hope you will each eat a double portion of dinner to make up for us - As for us, I don't know what we are to have but we have engaged Clara Glover to carve our turkey, the terrible thought has just crossed my mind that perhaps they won't give us a turkey! horrible! What I would have given if Mr. Curtis had only seen Father. Wouldn't he have been wrathy to meet him marching around his College? I wonder if Aunt Martha still considers Galesburg far superior to Vassar College. I wonder if Mr. what's-his-name, that resident clergyman, will go and tell Mr. Curtis what Father said about him - Wasn't Mrs. Ballard's letter good? likewise her husbands. I am more and more surprised and astonished at their kindness in writing to us. I shall certainly write to them as soon as I have an opportunity. I wish I could hear him preach this afternoon - We are going to have the Episcopal service here this afternoon - I know I shall enjoy it very much. Mr. Scarborough is a very earnest christian and a good speaker. I decidedly agree with you in not caring to change places with Dr. Hogarth's people. I am glad that your visit with those children was so successfully completed. Where is Bloomfield? I never heard of it before. It seems to me that my relatives have a peculiar fancy for Illinois - Horace Halleck is married, as of course you know. One of the girls here is acquainted with his wife, or rather her sister is, and she wrote her a long account of the wedding - I pity the poor woman he has married. Don't you? I combed Helen's hair this morning, and you can't imagine what an improvement is is - I should like to do it every day if it didn't take too long - I must stop now, and get ready for church, or chapel rather - O Mother! how I wish you could hear Prof. Knapp in our Testament class - He is one of the best Christian men I ever saw. Prof. Tenney wants to get that Mastodon for the College, but has few hopes of success - I must stop now, for I am in a great hurry -
Yours with much love Mattie S. W.
I forgot to send my love to all the people but of course they will take it for granted.