I have read all the proof, & Mrs. C. has read nearly all. I expect to ship it tomorrow to you. I will at least ship all that she has read. I think you had better send me proof of the three opening chapters, for I perceive that my copy is not always followed.

Why doesn’t that derned “Atlantic Monthly” come? You have ordered it, I believe.

We have had up-hill work of the proof-reading; for ever since I saw you we have all been in the doctor’s hands—every member of the family, & every day. I have been in bed all the time, with a rattling attack of rheumatism; but I am up & around, this evening. Mrs. C. is killed with unceasing headaches, a heavy cold in the head, & constant watching with the sick children. The doctor frightened us last night by with the idea that perhaps Susie was developing scarlet fever—this, just as Clara was relieving us of a scare about membranous croup. However, Susie’s was a false alarm. Patrick’s eldest boy, lately recovered from scarlet fever, has suffered a relapse & is threatened with dropsy.

We shall have Stedman for guest Monday night—also the Monday Evening Club.

Tuesday & afterward we shall be guestless, and—I hope—all well again. In which case we shall be ready for a visit from you as soon as you can come.

It was a heavy disappointment to us that we could not ask the Fairchilds’sⒶemendation to stop on their way up. But our house was a hospital.