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June 22./57.
Dear Bob.
Your short letter came on Saturday. I cannot promise "to write for both of us"; and almost made up my my mind to be highly indignant at the proposal; but concluded it would not be advisable; so I am going to be real clever. Dont think it impossible. I can be when I try. I thought I was last time I wrote; and cant for the life of me remember; what naughty I said. I will take it back; and promise never to do so again. I do feel an interest in your welfare; and am always glad to hear of your success. I do not like To think that "the most delightful of all sublimary things is the kicking up a bobbery"; indeed I prefer
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living in peace with the world; and keeping the love of what friends I have. There are few who really understand me; and consequently I have few friends; but those are very dear. A gentleman told me the other evening of a conversation he had had with an acquaintance of mine concerning me; and said he had advised him how to deal with me. He would not tell me who it was. Was not that provoking? but I think I can geuss. He is a person who has some sympathy with my tastes and is a good enough fellow; but not one I should chose as a friend.
I am glad to hear you are going home. It is a great inducement to leave home for a time, when we consider the pleasure of returning. We can realize how much we love our friends; and
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how necessary they are to our happiness when we are separated from them. Dont you ever intend coming to see us? I want to see you all so much. Charlie's not coming last winter was a great disoppointment; though I had a presentiment all the time that he would not come.
I cannot play much more than when I wrote last; though I suppose I improve a little all the time. It is slow business. Jenny Hedges plays sweetly. I do not have half enough ambition. I have so much reading on hand to do; that I do not spend enough time on music. It is so cold that I have just had a fire built in my recitation room. I hope the comet will not come again soon. I cannot write longer now as the bell rings so good bye.
Maria.