CaryNorman18641230_001

Phillips Academy Andover Friday Dec 30th 64

Dear Father,

I rec'd your short but very
welcome letter yesterday morning and this is the first
opportunity I have had of replying. It was the
first one I had rec'd from home since I left and
the 2nd from Palmyra. I never went so long
with so few letters in my life i.e. since I came
to Andover. I felt rather [provoked?] and somewhat
[crusty?] at it as perhaps the tenor of my last letter
showed you. But you letter fully made up for
it. I wondered that my box did not arrive.
I expected it by Christmas Eve but was of course
disappointed. All I ask is that you will send
it as soon as possible. My Boots have about given
out entirely, err not entirely but considerably.
That is to say the wet weather & Andover mud
have considerably depreciated their value. And
owing to lack of grease I have not been able
to attend to them properly. Don't fail to put