Letter from M. Carey Thomas to Mary Elizabeth Garrett, November 18, 1893

Dearest Mary, After I got off my letters and I wrote one to Father asking him to say nothing except to Helen. I trust he did not apply this to you but how could he? I was so tired from the excitement both Mamie and I that we went on reading Maup. till bed time. I could not write to you I was too tired. This morning after reading your deal letter which I was so glad to get and seeing Mamie off to Phila for she had had a long spasm in the night - the effect I suppose of so much excitement. I lay down and dictated to Miss Abbott and Miss Gregory for 2 hrs and since then have done nothing feeling miserably sick with that some hollow feeling. The doctor - it is Alison not Gerhard by the way. Gerhard to shooting and will not be back for 9 days - has sent one back to milk and GǣslopsGǥ and is giving me indigestion medicine. I cannot eat anything at all. He is coming tomorrow, I believe. My cough is much better. He said today my temperature was for 2 days 101 and over which gratifies me as I really felt so sick. I suppose it will take some time for the effect of the excitement to wear off but what a relief it is to have it over at last. Mamie is radiant in spite of her eye which Dr. Thomson persists in regarding as of no consequence. I did not write you this morning bec - this feeling really prevents it. I am so sorry. Well to go on after the vote was taken. Albert Smiley began a speech about the Presidents being present etc at all meetings preparatory to the other and Francis Cope said that as the minority had gone through so much and had suffered so keenly in defeat he thought the further details might surely be left to some other meeting. There was abundance of time for that. Moreover some of them - himself and John Garrett - wished time to think what action they should take. Then Howard Comfort made his speech about being bound by pledges beforehand and not sympathising with the minority in their fears of the result of the present election, and a few of the Trustees spoke exhorting the others to unity and asking them to do nothing hastily. And they adjourned. There was nothing else to do. Dr. Rh is confident Fr. Cope and prob John Garrett will resign. Oh if they would and says I can be put in at once without opposition. He says on his talks no one had any objection to this at all events the time to speak of this will be when terms are talked over and if those two Trustees are out of the Board there will be no trouble. But it will be too good to be true. You did entirely right about Father I was stupid not to think of it or I should have asked him in my letter to tell you all about it. Mamie is on one sofa, the Madonna one, and I on another and Chris Kitty lying in a tight black ball on the rug in front of the fire and Mamie says she should like us all 3 to lie here for a week until we begin to get rested. I am afraid you ought to bring Miss Keenan with you and yet what a trial. Could she not stay in Baltimore. I think it might be dangerous to let her visit in Phila so soon. Where could we go if we went away - would you mind Lakewood, or shall we go to Atlantic City. I really must feel better and if possible Mamie and I are going somewhere next week. I have to be back the Sat after Thanksgiving for a meeting of the Academ. Council of the Alumnae at 7:45 Sat evening, but apart from that I have no engagements. Do you remember the no. of our room at the Traymore - oh how unhappy we were there - it was atrocious I suppose somewhere away from home Miss Keenan would not be such a nuisance. Ah my darling how I should like to see you. Your love and sympathy and caring so much has been more of a comfort than I can express. You do not know how much.