40

been sick, tho' by the same
source I was gratified by the
intelligence that he was
rapidly recovering. I have looked
in vain for the Old Man's letter
he seems dreadfully averse to
writing but while there is life
there is hope (as you have also heard
it said) and I am not yet in
entire despair.

My dear Tootee, you allude to
the happy time when we all
shall once more assemble under
the maternal roof and express
a hope for its speedy arrival;
I assure you no one can
desire this joyous event more
[ardently?] than I do - it is that
to which I have been looking
with anxious longings for the last
three years and a half - and
my sincerest wish is that
it will arrive sooner than any expect.