30 November 1873?

Dear Mattie,

I am glad it is your Birthday -

It is this little Bouquet's Birthday too -

It's Father is a very old Man by the name of Nature, whom you never saw -

I am going away to live in a Tippet that a South Down built me, so I cant say any more -

Be sure to live in vain and never mingle with the mouse - like Papa's Tongs -

Aunt Emily -