Vincent Street

June 21st /80

My darling Lucy,

I was very glad to get your letter & to hear you were all getting on so happily. I hope you try to be a comfort to dear Arthur & Emma [Lucy’s sister married Arthur Hanan 1878].

It cheers the poor old Mother’s heart to think that her dear absent ones are seeking in little as well as what seem great things to walk in the Saviour’s footsteps. Uncle Robert walked out yesterday afternoon to see dear Father and found him looking decidedly better. He did not see the doctor but the attendants told him that they felt sure he was improving. We cannot in the natural order of things expect a sudden recovery but we know the Lord can remove this affliction this very hour if it I his will. I am sure he will recover and the Lord has given me faith to believe that it will be a complete recovery and that we shall have him better than he has been for years.

The people out there evidently try to do all they can for him now. Uncle knows two of the principal attendants out there and they promised to do all they can. They will give him a private bathroom, and they now give him leave to walk about outside unattended – he promises to return of course. Whatever father promises he does. Now I must tell you about all the friends that you know here. Cousin Serena has been in three or four times to see me. She is very kind – we are to go out to see her on Thursday – Aunt Emma Bertie and I. You would see a great difference in Fanny – she has grown nearly as tall as Lottie, but she does not talk any better than she used. She came to know if I could tell her where the big “kiggers” were – scissors she meant – it is ridiculous some of the things she says- she and Lottie want management. You remember poor Mrs Taylor (Now now) poor body she could not come into the house without breaking down – missing dear Grandmama – she comes for dripping as she used – she seems scarcely able to shake hands with me without suddenly turning her back and then you hear her using her handkerchief vigorously. Mr Robertson was here today I like him more & more – we had such a nice talk about those words “ The prayer of faith shall save the sick”. I asked him if he had ever thought much about those words. He told me he had lately & we had such a real comforting talk – before he left he prayed such a prayer such an earnest pleading of the promises in simple childlike faith – he left me much comforted. So you see darling the Lord keeps me resting & sends me comfort by one & another but I must not write more.

Goodbye darling. Fondest love to all, not forgetting your dear little self from your loving Mother

All send love to all