Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, July 25, 1884

Dearest Minnie, If you knew what pleasure your letters gave me I think you would write more, in spite of feeling GÇ£pen-tiedGÇ¥. After you have been here for a little while , I think you will understand better how it is that you do not get more letters from me, or I might almost say any - A budget goes to the mail always once and often twice a day, but rarely carries one line which has given me any pleasure to write. I will not take time now to tell you all about the many domestic complications which have arisen since we have been here, but some of them have [illegible] and are worrying me very much and have not helped to make me feel well. Confidentially, one is that Richard is about to leave and I am making every effort to fill his place (as far as maybe) as soon as possible, and do not yet know whether Alice will go or stay. Please say nothing about this even to Bessie, but you can easily see that it would involve very serious complications for us, and that the possibility of losing her might make me very blue. But to leave these unedifiying subjects, the GÇ£special reasonGÇ¥ I had for asking you to come on Aug. 15 was that I thought if Mamie could come in the first few days of Sept, (or as soon as she got back from Newport), you would stay through her visit and go back with her. Ours is such a quiet and sad house now and when there is only one other person besides Julia with me, we are so much with Papa that it would be extremely dull for Mamie to come alone, but if you were here and there were four of us, I thought she might perhaps think it worth her while. I have of course absolutely no engagements and expect no other visitors this summer, so you see the time was named simply as the one I thought most convenient and pleasant for you. I had hoped to have written to Mamie soon after getting here asking her about her coming, but have always had to put it off and did not know she knew of it, but I will write her very soon, although I am afraid now it will be rather perfunctory as you tell me she is going to BessieGÇÖs on coming back from Newport. Do you mean that she will be with you in Philadelphia for the meeting first and then go back to BessieGÇÖs? Now, dear Minnie, when are you coming? Bessie you said would be with you this week and the Peabody closes on August 1st; therefore why not come when her visit is over? This suggestion I venture in spite of your telling me that for the next few weeks you will be very happy; owing to various reasons enumerated, one very favourable to books for society. There you would have very little outside of our four walls as we see almost no one but my brother HarryGÇÖs family, who have a cottage here. Robert and his wife left last week. In regard to health, I have been far from well, but am beginning to get better again. Yest. we had rain for the first time in 3 weeks so that I hope the heat is broken. This morning Julia and I played a few games of tennis for the first time in almost 2 weeks, I think. The horse is a success, I think, but I have my first ride in him still in prospect, as his back is now rubbed, but he will be all right in a day or two. I am so sorry to hear what you say about Bessie and very anxious to talk it over with you. I wish I could succeed in convincing you that Dr. Cushier would be the best person for her to consult. Her diagnosis is said to be remarkable. WonGÇÖt you at least make inquiries about her and find out all you can before deciding definitely on the Phila. One? I hope you will believe that it is not from lack of interest or will that I do not answer your letters fully and discuss (so far as I could) Bryn Mawr matters, etc., but simply backache. Julia sends kindest messages. Hoping to both hear from you and see you very soon. Lovingly yours, M.E. Garrett