It is better to act knowingly. Therefore, take all of Garvie’s f expenses & estimates to our architect, Alfred H. Thorp, & get his opinion & ask his advice. (It can’t cost $6,000 to build that 20-foot coop & paint the house &c; .) especially as Garvie built Geo. Warner’s three-story dwelling, in ’72–’73 for $13,000 by day’s-works).

If Thorp’s estimate for future work is lower than Garvie’s, make Garvie come down. And make him reduce his previous bills about down to Thorp’s estimate—& if he won’t, he must wait till I come to Hartford (& then he can wait still longer, & sue me.)

If Thorp’s estimates need any backing up, you can get another estimate ( through Whitmore, from his builder (this latter, though, only as if necessity requires[)].

Livy doesn’t want to have trouble with G. & A.—neither do I; but I when I am in my right mind neither am I disposed to avoid it.