27 July 1872

TO: Louise and Frances Norcross
FROM: ED

Little Irish Maggie went to sleep this morning at six o'clock, just the time grandpa rises, and will rest in the grass at Northampton tomorrow. She has had a hard sickness, but her awkward little life is saved and gallant now. Our Maggie is helping her mother put her in the cradle. . . .

Month after this - after that is October, isn't it? That isn't much long. Joy to enfold our little girls in so close a future. That was a lovely letter of Fanny's. It put the cat to playing and the kettle to purring, and two or three birds in plush teams reined nearer to the window. . . . You will miss the nasturtiums, but you will meet the chestnuts. You also will miss the south wind, but I will save the west. . . .

Of course we shall have a telegram that you have left for Nebraska. . . .

          Emily.