Letter: Margaret Bancroft to Milton Bancroft, August 16, 1900

agreeing well not the third sometimes causing discord. not as a whole do well. The nurse is kind and conscientious not too indulgent as you may find Jean a little spoilt. At present Joe is in the hammock with Jean sitting by him on a camp stool. the two enjoying themselves immensely looking over McClures. We have had the hottest days here (the last three) for 40 years. Not even that was cool to the heat of Maryland. We have been vetching every day and we older ones [falsing a dike?]

2005.0028.0032b Sunday Dear [Punk?], I started with a pen but have managed to loose it. Jeannot and I are sitting in the end of a boat J wisely rowing with a broken oar, he has been dressed clean but has fallen in the mud so is very dirty but so happy brown and rosy one does not mind. Yesterday Mr. Collison

took us sailing. Jean enjoyed it immensely and behaved himself so well that he is invited to go again which is a great compliment as Mr. C. is very particular. We have moored a raft in mid channel over my head at high tide. I take Jean out he climbs up and jumps off into the water where I catch him, he is almost too brass, I think in a short time

he will be able to swim, as he can almost support himself now going dog fashion. he does not mind going under. The salt water seems to agree with him perfectly and I only wish I could keep him till Interim to New York. not fear he will have to go down with his Father as Jorg has been to Morristown and Aunt Carrie has made up her mind to return Oct 1st so that means I must open the house not later than the week of the 20d.. as I must have ten days to pepare for her. Jean and the Borring children get on pretty well. any how

he landed, I took off Jean trousers rolled up his sleeves and he had a fine time padling while I laid down on the dried sea weed almost going to sleep. We came home just in time for a 5.30 supper after which Jean goes to bed at once is generally asleep by 6.30 and sleeps till about that hour next morning. so naps are only had when absolutely necessary, twice since he came. I read thy letter to Jeannot he kissed it

twice and wanted to know where Mommies hand had been then kissed it again. Mrs Collison thinks he looks so much better than when he came, he has a royal appetite and seems in prime condition. I am truly glad he missed the intense heat and wish you all could have been out of it. poor Mrs. Moore I fill so sorry for her with another heat stroke. it is so discouraging. & [Calls?] what caused her abscess. I enclose J. White's letter, tell Mrs. Moore I

should judge he and his Estelle meditated a visit. how does Norwood feel about that. I am so glad the children Dear Mommie. I loves you Jeannot wrote to Mrs. Moore. and showed they appreciated all her kindness. Wish dear love Sister We went to Blick Island last Friday

2 by moonlight just before going to bed which made sleeping simply fine. Joe says New York has been almost unbearable but today here is so cool we all have on coats. Jeannot has set the jasmine for bare feet & the children are all happy. a few days ago Jeannot and I went out in the row boat by ourselves. Jean is so quiet & good in a boat that it is safe, I rowed near the shore out of our creek round the point to a sandy beach where

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welcome thee with open arms whenever thee is ready to come back. I think thee must have misunderstood Sister or have they changed plans since her letter to me? I wish there was some work in prospect, but of course this is the dull season. bring plenty of paints and canvas and tobacco when thee comes. The heat is still on here though not quite so intense as last week. I am glad thee and Jean have been out of it. I can stand things myself but I do like my loved ones to be all right. This is a hurried scrawl before dinner. glad thee has fiddled. I have been playing also found some old music in a drawer

Norwood, Aug. 16th.., 1900 My darling. Two letters today have made me very happy. am so glad thee really enjoyed the visit to the boys. Thy Sundays letter did not mislead me at all. I read between the lines, and knew thee was just feeling a little out on account of the clothes. What real difference does it make. Thee is thee in a dress suit or out of it. I enclose a letter which I received from Sister. There don't seem to be any particular rush about Jean's getting back, but thy letter may be different. I would love thee to go to the Catskills if possible. When thee comes put in a supply of writing paper. dont bother to mail as I write only to thee and can get on with what I have All love Margaret