I jes drop a line to say we git on fust rate.  The girls is clever and fly round right smart.  Miss Meg is going to make a proper good housekeeper.  She hes the liking for it, and gits the hang of things surprisin quick.  Jo doos beat all for goin ahead, but she don’t stop to cal’k’late fust, and you never know where she’s like to bring up.  She done out a tub of clothes on Monday, but she starched ’em afore they was wrenched, and blued a pink calico dress till I thought I should a died a laughin.  Beth is the best of little creeters, and a sight of help to me, bein so forehanded and dependable.  She tries to learn everything, and really goes to market beyond her years, likewise keeps accounts, with my help, quite wonderful.  We have got on very economical so fur.  I don’t let the girls hev coffee only once a week, accordin to your wish, and keep em on plain wholesome vittles.  Amy does well without frettin, wearin her best clothes and eatin sweet stuff.  Mr. Laurie is as full of didoes as usual, and turns the house upside down frequent, but he heartens the girls, so I let em hev full swing.  The old gentleman sends heaps of things, and is rather wearin, but means wal, and it aint my place to say nothin.  My bread is riz, so no more at this time.  I send my duty to Mr. March, and hope he’s seen the last of his Pewmonia.

Yours respectful,

Hannah Mullet

Head Nurse of Ward No. 2,

All serene on the Rappahannock, troops in fine condition, commisary department well conducted, the Home Guard under Colonel Teddy always on duty, Commander in Chief General Laurence reviews the army daily, Quartermaster Mullet keeps order in camp, and Major Lion does picket duty at night.  A salute of twenty-four guns was fired on reciept of good news from Washington, and a dress parade took place at headquarters.  Commander in chief sends best wishes, in which he is heartily joined by . . .

COLONEL TEDDY

Dear Madam: 

The little girls are all well.  Beth and my boy report daily.  Hannah is a model servant, and guards pretty Meg like a dragon.  Glad the fine weather holds.  Pray make Brooke useful, and draw on me for funds if expenses exceed your estimate.  Don’t let your husband want anything.  Thank God he is mending.

Your sincere friend and servant,
JAMES LAURENCE

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LITTLE FAITHFUL

For a week the amount of virtue in the old house would have supplied the neighborhood.  It was really amazing, for everyone seemed in a heavenly frame of mind, and self-denial was all the fashion.  Relieved of their first anxiety about their father, the girls insensibly relaxed their praiseworthy efforts a little, and began to fall back into old ways.  They did not forget their motto, but hoping and keeping busy seemed to grow easier, and after such tremendous exertions, they felt that Endeavor deserved a holiday, and gave it a good many.