Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, February 05, 1890

Dearest Minnie, I hope you girls will not be appalled by the sight of the 3 big envelopes that I have just posted to you. They are not, as you will soon find, as formidable as they look, and I do hope we can now very soon get the Gymnasium business out of the way, or at least under way. Julia and I went to the Building this afternoon and it is really beginning to look much more as if it would someday be ready for occupancy and some of the rooms already look very attractive. I do hope you girls will approve of the suggestions about constitution, etc. I think you girls do understand about the matter, but not so apparently those at this end of the line and what is going to come of it all I donGÇÖt know. I wish you were both coming home this week, as I doubt very much whether anything but a Committee meeting will adjust matters. No, your accusation was unjust, it was not only our unfortunate Committee meeting and Incorporation that would have made it impossible or rather very inadvisable for me to go back with you on Saturday if you had been going; but you can fix upon any time that is most convenient for you now, and I hope I can safely say that if I do not come then, I never want you to ask me again. It is lucky for you that you did not have me this week, for all Sunday I was miserable and at 8:30 had to give up and go to bed, where I stayed until this morning. I thought the envelope that came this morning with the enclosures looked as if your eyes were better and do hope I was not mistaken and that the trouble has proved to be nothing more than a hint for a change of glasses. I suppose Bessie has already written you of her change of plan. She is delighted apparently, and was very bright this morning when she stopped to tell us about it after having been to the Walters Gallery and to see Dr. Osler. If she only does not catch cold here it will be lovely for her to have the whole winter at home, and will simplify matters for them all so wonderfully. I began at last to do my duty by hearing classes last Friday (unfortunately before Mrs. ColvinGÇÖs report had come in) and was delighted with the recitation I heard of Miss Metcalf. Your [illegible] that day. I hope to be up to going again in a day or two. Lovingly yours, Mary E.G. I wanted very much to add my birthday congratulations to Mamie on Sunday when I found out that it was her fete, but was too wretched to do anything but creep home from JuliaGÇÖs where I had been invited to meet Bessie at an early dinner and which after all [illegible] prevented her from going to.