Dearest Mary - how delighted I was to get your letter last evening and to hear how you are and about your sitting room and lounge and your walk and even about those small blue devils you cherish so closely. Please walk a little every day, even if it tires you, and promise to read a tiny bit of Homer and have you JebbGÇÖs Homer and Langs travel, because if not I want to send them to you, and have you read what Symonds says about him? Be sure to answer these questions. It seems to me it would be great fun to go regularly through Greek literature, reading all about it, and all of each author, and why should we not do it together, if indeed you can wait for me, for I have been so busy lately that I am holding poor Mamie tied by the leg in the very midst of Paris and MenelausGÇÖs combat in the 3rd book. How I hope you like my Medlan Tree - I finished it all in a mist although I read the last few pages in the midst of the three secretaries just before wrapping it up to send you. Unless you want to keep it mail it back and we will present it to the Students Library. Have you read Henry JamesGÇÖ guide philosopher and friend Constance T because if not there are some of her books I should like you to read, and do you know Geo Meredith? Read the Fabian Essays; they alone and unaided made Uncle Robert a socialist, and see if Sidney Well is not beguiling. No, we did not get to New York. I was so busy and I could not go to to New York twice and the diving Sara provokingly played La Tosca and Cleopatra does not come till this week and next. Having seen her three times in La Tosca and squandered $20 on it, I thought I must wait till Cleopatra came so a week from next Saturday February 28th. I expect to persuade Mamie to go to hear her if not I shall go myself to a matinee; for what is the use of having an innocent passion if it cannot be annually indulged! Then too there are always the Metropolitan pictures to see. How often I have thought of those Thayus. Sargent I never think of out of sight - do you? Now let me begin to tell you systematically what has happened since Sunday.    Monday all day long I saw professors and students (5 new students have entered at the half year) and Mrs. Morris about the Japanese scholarship. Tuesday I saw Dr. McIntosh, a promising presby. divine, about going on the Executive Committee of the University. Extensions here in Philadelphia I also consulted Mary McMurtin about it and found it was her strong desire and also the wish of every other graduate who wish to work in it; so I concluded to consent. They say I need give no time, only advice. Mary McM. is very nice - You do not do her justice, I think. She is head and shoulders above Bessie McCall wholy the way she says has been very seriously out of health all this winter. Then I saw professors and Dr. Rhoads all the rest of day. Wednesday lecture and meeting at Miss Coles, 150 women and they called on me to speak and I had to speak. Evening too tired to read Greek. Miss Child did not GÇ£turn upGÇ¥ till 4 P.M. Monday and on Tuesday she came 2 hours late after I had left for town. I told her on Wednesday she must be rigidly punctual. Thursday was my two lecture and afternoon day and I had not a moment. Friday and indeed Thursday I was very anxious about little Philip who lay at the point of death all Friday and part of Thursday, only kept alive by stimulants and Oxygen. Father wrote me three letters in one day and in the last told me that he died at twilight on Friday, poor little fellow he has had no chance at all from his birth and I believe it was all because a foolish etiquette prevented Harry from having Dr. Kelly. However it is none the less, or rather all the more, a grief to Zoe and Harry. He is just now being put into his little grave at [illegible] for the funeral was to be at three and it is now half past four. I could not get back tonight and tomorrow was so full of lectures and appointments  that Harry said he would rather have me the last of this week. Nell and Frank went and John and Bond were there by accident. I think I am glad it happened so, for I shrank from going to London under such circumstances and the whole thing seems pitiful - to be born only to cause the grief of dying to oneGÇÖs parents. I believe I am rather pagan in my sentiments toward death. If one can do no good - why dwell on it. Either way it is inconceivable - a sleep or an awakening either is for me unimaginable. It cannot be one, nor can it be the other, and yet one it must be. Further than this I have yet to see the sound philosophy that advances. I feel like catching speculation on this subject by the throat.    Friday evening before I knew Philip was dead I went to an unutterable party here, my neighbourGÇÖs Club, which I attend simply for the sake of the college and found it worse than I remembered it for I had not been before this year. Saturday I was not well and spent all day correcting exam papers. Miss Childs is still sending out open letters and there are still circulars left. I read a little Shirley and decided that Charlotte BronteGÇÖs pen of fire had become more flaming since I last read her. Why is it that young people are so slow to feel such things or rather to find words for them! I have had an unsatisfactory week but I hope for better things after that impending Committee meeting is over. You need not fear a permanent committee. Mamie and I will not have one. Then too I have been a little, and more than a little, troubled about you. I do so want you to profit from the baths and I canGÇÖt feel sure you will give them a fair chance. So even your double supply of violets did not sweeten your journey. You are spoiled. I wish it were near enough for me to visit you and you must consider it a promise and I shall consider it one - that if you are really sick you will let me know at once. Of course you will not be, but I want to be sure that you would let me know. Mamie sends her love before she went; she is out walking although her ankle is not yet well. She is here on account of her week at home; and has finished her essays so that she can take a long debauch of reading.    Mrs. HoweGÇÖs lecture has been put off till March sometime.    It is a charming day and the sun makes your little oranges beside me look like the apples of the Hesperides as it shines on them but for me - and for you too, are they not? those unattainable apples are many more than the six little golden globes beside me. And yet fancy six golden fulfilled wishes what should they - what should they not be?   Now goodbye - write to me -tell me sometimes that you like to hear from me - and think of me sometimes as I shall think of you daily and live in hope of more respectable letters than this one for somehow it strikes me as unusually dull today.   Yours lovingly   Minnie C Th