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have improved - except that I can
sew better on the machine, and have
read some new books.

I think all the "smartness" of this
family is concentrated in the boys -
and the girls are only ordinary sort
of creatures. Perhaps it is all my own
fault, but seems to me if it was in
me it would come out. I feel
ashamed every day when I hear people
talking on subjects which I ought to
be familiar with to find I know
nothing about them.

This has been a [illegible] quiet winter -
we never had so little company.
and I have not been away since
the time of the State Fair.

Of this snowing hard, I think we shall
have sleighing.

Maj has gone to Chicago; he may come
home to night but, will probably
remain until next day.

We are lonely enough now that