Typed letter from Ellen at White Hall, December 16, 1860 — page 1 (to 'Dear Sis')

White Hall, December 16, 1860

Dear Sis:

The children have just been in for their lunch and gone off again to enjoy the beautiful weather after being shut up all yesterday by cold and rain. I have hardly written to you before this as we have had company ever since I came home. After Dora Mitchell went, Sister Catharine and Julia Fitzsimmons came and then Juliers and John Stoney Porcher spent one night. This is pretty much the way all winter. There is scareceely a week that, we don’t have some company, and in short winter days there seems very little real leisure time. I could easily fill the letter with the children’s sayings and doings and how pleasant they are to us and as I dare say you would like nothing better. They, sleep in our room generally, asking to go to bed about seven o’clock but last night Sam went to his usual place in Thomas’ lap when he fell asleep at half past six. I wanted to take him but Thomas refused to have him disturbed till seven o’clock. So you see he don’t find the children in his way. Sam had ear- ache and although there was not the least necessity Thomas got up and wrapped Sam in a shawl and made up the fire so as to rock him to sleep. I told him not to get up but he said he could not sleep when the poor fellow was suffering so he might as well do something. The child was as good and patient that it was pitiful to see him in pain. He was relieved by the liniment you gave me and has had no pain since and he and Thomas seem to be greater friends every day. Christie still keeps to me for petting, as he seems a little bashful about taking liberties