Goodnight, dear heart, I wish you had had yourself
in the picture. I have three in the summer time with
you holding her and that is the way I like to see you,
that is the way I think of you. I love you, and I love
her for making you so happy, and I love her for her
sake, and because she is ours: and has tied us tighter
and closer even than it has ever been. I love you so
that I can't write about it, and I am going to do noth-
ing all spring but just sit around, and be in every-
body's way, watching you together.

How jealous I am of you, and homesick for you.
Of course, she knows "mamma" is you; and to look
at you when they ask, "Where's mother?" Who else
could be her mother but the dearest woman in the world,
and the one who loves her so, and in so wonderful a
way. She is beautiful beyond all things human I
know. If ever a woman deserved a beautiful daughter,
you do, for you are the best of mothers, and you know
how "to care greatly."

Good-night, my precious, dear one, and God keep
you, as He will, and help me to keep you both happy.
What you give me you never will know.

RICHARD.

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