RK-552

June 2nd - As your letter was only recieved yesterday, I of course have not been able to procure and read the articles you mentions but will do so with pleasure. I should like to have has the very leaf you made the note upon - granting all your notes will benefit me, if in no other way, by giving me great pleasure, as in the leaf torn from the pocket book - It is so delightful to be though[t] of by ones dear absent friends -

I cannot tell how much I have missed you ever since you left us - indeed we all have, even father, who never says any thing to any body, admitted he missed you very much and regretted exceeding you had to go away. I have not got used to your absence yet, but suppose I must not quarrel about it, as those who enjoy

your society have the best right to it. Dr Cooper would tell you, I have been consoling myself with several beaux - but my flirta-tions with beaux is very different from my affection for my friends therfore one cannot take the place of the other. but I have only had one little tiny bit of a flirtation and that with a conceited handsome, old acquaintance from Pensylvania. you know I said I was going to tell you about all such affairs.

I do not think any thing very impor-tant has transpired at the Stimpsonian Dr H. has taken your room but I have not seen any thing of him for some time as he has been suffering very much from a boil on his face, and as it was rather dis-figuring he has not presented himself. Mr Meek has a room in the back building and I believe is considered the old batchelor

“par excellence” – Mr L. spent an evening with us at Molly’s and was as merry as possible, he was the life of the party – he has had so much bad weather that the new buggy has been of very little use to him but Miss Mary Henry and Mr Turner have been favored with a driver. Dr Cooper I see daily – but rarely hear a sound from his lips – suppose he talks so much to [illegible] when they are walking that he has nothing left for other folks. I judge the roses are blooming beautifully from the offerings made to [illegible], but never a one have I had since you went away – I kept the last bunch of roses you gave me as long as it was possible – until the falling of their “velvit leaves, laded with silent perfume” gave somebody “sweet memories” of somebody else

I have had a feast of flowers in the last few days. I have been making a visit

to my friends the Rudd's at the Navy Yard their home is perfectly lovely, I was as happy as a queen, surrounded by so many blossoms

I do wish you were here this evening, we are going to have my sweet little friend [illegible]] Rudd with us – she plays and sings a great deal - is very lovely, and smart as she can be – you would be delighted with her – I am going with her to hear the music at the Presidents. I shall certainly think of the last time I was there, and with whome – I was very sorry to hear there was some prospect of your being disappoin= =ted in your trip this summer – you see I heard of your letter to Prof Baird – please tell me all about it? My Dicentras at Bennington are growing finely – the Salvia died – Have I not written a tremendously long letter? Is your patience exhausted? I have caught one funny bug for you.

Washington June 1st 1858

Although it is twenty minuites after seven o’clock – almost dark – I cannot resist the temptation of at least commencing a letter to my dear friend Mr. Bob Kennicott. Perhaps this lovely evening you may be thinking of your third sister, and (if I am not singing to you) these lines will witness that we are thinking in unison – if you are all ab=sorbed by other affections I am none the less willing my thoughts should be devoted to you.

Your letter was recieved today – and gladly welcomed, I had been expecting it and hoping for it, for some days, in spite

[page turned] I am very glad Alice and Cora have determind to feel amiably towards me. and that they are convinced it is possible for such friendships as ours to exist. Alice will I hope soon lose her last doubt.

There is no danger of your ever making a fool of yourself

I am charged with kind messages from all to you.

Believe me your sincere friend

Bettis G. R.