
It is night, clear and cold: Han has just left my room; gone to
the east apartment: She prefers
much to be alone. Cannot see visitors;
does not talk much; wearies her; so does reading: must not read aloud to her; or narrate
any thing from newspapers: occasionaly breaks out into some small gossip,
furtively: Is weak: too much so to dress up. Languishes on the sofa, or by the fire, seated on a
pillow, in a tall rocking chair: sometimes with a blanket around her,
indian fashion: window
partly raised, freshning freshening
the room:
has been about since 9 o'clock; attended some to dinner.
prepared her own supper oysters stewed; baked apples; indian pudding, milk; prunes; takes
no tea or coffee: She is come in again: sitting down by the stove: I am writing to Walt:
says to give her love to him; wants to see him very much: had letter from Lou:
yesterday; reports you looking very well; which
gave her great satisfaction. Lou sent her some time ago a box of underclothing, at my
suggestion: She was badly off: I purchased a garment hose; could not wear it: could not
endure a woman dress maker, to handle her; make such things for he r was too nervous. She
has now numerous blankets
and bed comforters; and
sleeps warm; bed warmed, between blankets. sleeps some; better; improves: does not feel
her heartbeat in her brain so much; as she expresses it: does not use so much bromide:
it is hurtfull to her: affects her seriously the next day: would craze her if she persisted:
it is given to make her sleep; at too great a risk: Doctor was in last night: said she
was not getting better very fast, but would acertainly
get well: She never can be as she was: look as well: be as strong. She has changed greatly:
her neck and breast has shrunk; her face too: her eyes at times are sunken, glassy; her
back is weak: her hair grows—and
becomes thinner
very grey. Yet her voice is natural: her step firmer. When this hard cold winter is past,
she may recuperate. She tried to sew a little to day: I was away 3 hours this morning, to
Union to get subscribers to my picture
sale: cruel way to get a livinng living
: 60 dollars
in frames; months of work on pictures: shall distribute them next month: I meet with much
sympathy among people but times are hard: The landscape is truly
enshrouding a white country, snow
enveloped, hill, valley, lake and
river: Lou is to purchase two paintings: will help me much. Geo sent
a check: he reserved for Han: It has cost me over 200 dollars, this winter new stove, extra
fires: frames, groceries, etc—have not recieved a line from the girls.