I jes drop a line to say we git on fust rate.
The girls is clever and fly round right smart.
Miss Meg is going to make a proper good housekeeper.
She hes the liking for it, and gits the hang of things
surprisin quick. Jo doos beat all for goin ahead,
but she don’t stop to cal’k’late
fust, and you never know where she’s like to
bring up. She done out a tub of clothes on Monday,
but she starched ’em afore they was wrenched,
and blued a pink calico dress till I thought I should
a died a laughin. Beth is the best of little
creeters, and a sight of help to me, bein so forehanded
and dependable. She tries to learn everything,
and really goes to market beyond her years, likewise
keeps accounts, with my help, quite wonderful.
We have got on very economical so fur. I don’t
let the girls hev coffee only once a week, accordin
to your wish, and keep em on plain wholesome vittles.
Amy does well without frettin, wearin her best clothes
and eatin sweet stuff. Mr. Laurie is as full
of didoes as usual, and turns the house upside down
frequent, but he heartens the girls, so I let em hev
full swing. The old gentleman sends heaps of
things, and is rather wearin, but means wal, and it
aint my place to say nothin. My bread is riz,
so no more at this time. I send my duty to Mr.
March, and hope he’s seen the last of his Pewmonia.
Yours respectful,
Hannah Mullet
Head Nurse of Ward No. 2,
All serene on the Rappahannock, troops in fine condition,
commisary department well conducted, the Home Guard
under Colonel Teddy always on duty, Commander in Chief
General Laurence reviews the army daily, Quartermaster
Mullet keeps order in camp, and Major Lion does picket
duty at night. A salute of twenty-four guns was
fired on reciept of good news from Washington, and
a dress parade took place at headquarters. Commander
in chief sends best wishes, in which he is heartily
joined by . . .
COLONEL TEDDY
Dear Madam:
The little girls are all well. Beth and my boy
report daily. Hannah is a model servant, and
guards pretty Meg like a dragon. Glad the fine
weather holds. Pray make Brooke useful, and draw
on me for funds if expenses exceed your estimate.
Don’t let your husband want anything.
Thank God he is mending.
Your sincere friend and servant,
JAMES LAURENCE
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
LITTLE FAITHFUL
For a week the amount of virtue in the old house would
have supplied the neighborhood. It was really
amazing, for everyone seemed in a heavenly frame of
mind, and self-denial was all the fashion. Relieved
of their first anxiety about their father, the girls
insensibly relaxed their praiseworthy efforts a little,
and began to fall back into old ways. They did
not forget their motto, but hoping and keeping busy
seemed to grow easier, and after such tremendous exertions,
they felt that Endeavor deserved a holiday, and gave
it a good many.
