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

Milton Bancroft Esq. 30 East 14th St. New York City N. Y.

2005.0028.0008b

New York May 18 7-AM 1900 N.Y.

Station O Received 3

and I know we will win. I will have a very rough draft of a tale to send thee in a few days- I have thought up several themes for stories but it is much easier to plan a thing than to put it into words; but if I never do a thing beyond trying it will teach me to enter more into the difficulties thee has to overcome. I simply love to write-just feel in my element when I have pen & paper as companions. When thee comes down thee might make a few character and house sketches about the place. Cousin Joe Stabler and others are certainly types & I know he would give thee a few sittings on Sundays or off farm days -rainy days etc. Father asked me this morning if thee was coming back with him. I said I did not know was afraid to ask for fear thee would say no. His devotion to Jean is pathetic though really J. is much better with him.

"Norwood" May 16th 1900.

My dearieI rejoice for thee and all the city dwellers for this blessed change of temperature. Thy letter yesterday worried me very muchI hoped, though feared the contrary, that the Studio would prove cool; but I suppose any place would be hot with the thermometer at 101_o. Mary and Stella are here-they are queer kids, which I suppose accounts for their devotion to my unworthy self.

Jeannot has the two little Wetherald children to spend the day with him. They have just arrived and I hope they will get on without any scraps. J, gets on very well with every one but young George Marshall, and I suspect the reason is that they are both accustomed to having their own way.

Jean is as handsome as-as-as What shall I say? -His father per chance. Thee will rejoice to know that I am feeling so much better - Dr.Brooke gave me some powder to dissolve and take as a "douche", and it has certaintly done me infinite good already. I feel strong again, and really like my old independent self. I do hate to be sick - may the Lord give us both health, and I think we can win through. By the way when thee is so hot let cold water run over they wrists - nothing brings me such relief. We had a fire this morning - think of it. A gray wood spider has just come jerking out from under somewhere, and despite the old French superstition I can't make way with him - he looks at me too trustingly. Perhaps in America they don't bring "chagrin" but hope.

How fortunate that thee happened in at 30_th St. Aunt C. doubtless took the visit to herself. I wish thee could see this spider perk his head on one side, and look at me. I am sure he is a friendly insect - he has lost one of his hind legs which interferes somewhat with the balance of his body but in nowise with the rapidity of his movements. I am so glad of the beauti ful afternoon we had together in the Bronx - it is such a sweet, fragrant memory, and seemed a bit out of our old life only better because of the real duties and joys which awaited us outside of that taste of dreamland. I think our feeling towards our work, the real work, our art, has grown deeper, more comprehensive, and nobler since these human duties came to us. Mine has I know: I never loved the work or feel more absolute faith in thee than since we have had a harder time

than he used to. [Apire?] took him out for the whole afternoon lately - let him paddle and have a royal good time. The little fellow is so tired when night comes, that he just drops off to sleep like an angel. 10 hours is his allowance, and mine is not much less. 8.30 was my bed time last night though I am not usually so dreadful. I do want thee to get out of the city as much as thee can this Summer, and perhaps the Slide Mountain scheme might be very pleasant. Thee must paint some just for the love of painting without any ulterior motive. I believe there are some lovily, lonely & paintable spots to be found on Long Island. What sort and manner of "lover" is Ned, I can not even imagine him loving anyone so well as himself - what a really horrid thing for me to