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We were fondly welcomed home by all[underlined] - And especially by
our Mother - She met us - with a joyous smile saying as she
extended her arms to us - "You poor Children" - "Poor Children".
I could not restrain my tears at all, I was so happy, - I follow
Ma about now all the time like a little child - telling her some=
thing about you all - It seemes as though I cannot be away from
her a moment; Ma has been very sick - during our absence.
She has recovered - but is still very weak - But the greatest change
in all - is our little 'Mocking Bird' (Alice) She has grown a great
deal and speaks evry thing so plain and sweetly - Amasa
you would love her very much - if you could see her. She is
a precious little treasure to us all - and we try to teach her to be as
good as she is beautiful.

We have read your letter over, and over again and [are?] better
pleased with it each time - Ma says you did perfectly right - to
write as you have done - [illegible][underlined] ceremony[underlined] away[underlined] - with your cousin
Belle and Helen - And we love you the better for it Amasa - Write
to us whenever you feel like it - and just as though you were
talking to us. for then I can read and immagine your are with
us, and that we are listening to you - Your Daguerreotype looks
more and more like you - It wear's a sad look yet though - But
you know how wreatched we three[underlined] felt that day - We thought you
would be lonely and homesick, which made us feel worn - And
after you left us on the 'Crescent City - We felt utterly alone[underlined] in the
world - We walked the floor awhile and then shut ourselves up
in our state room - We felt as though we would give anything
to see you again that night. I could not rest well. My face
ached - so bad - and in the morning it was swolen badly - and
poor Helen looked almost sick - After we had taken the cars at