"My knee hurt me--"

Ima arrived in South Egremont on June 24, 1904, and reported to her father:

Dearest Papa:

Only one letter from you, and none from brother. We are almost penniless, too. Mike and Tom have been here nearly two weeks, so their board ought to be paid right off.

South Egremont is beautiful—but since the truth must be told—unexpectedly inconvenient. For instance my knee hurt me—there was but one way of getting to Barrington to find out about X-ray—except in a stable buggy. We are four miles you see. Mike and Tom are very much pleased, notably Thomas, who has an automobile friend, and all the luxuries of life. I am writing you all this in case you may see what I am driving at: Napoleon. What do you think of sending him up?—providing the expense isn’t too great. He can be put in the stable on the place. Tom says he & Mike will take care of him. . . .

The kids and all of us send love with many kisses which I hope may blow you a gentle cooling breeze for I know you must be melting—Why not come up? Oh! Please do! And write soon to

Your loving daughter

Ima

        

But J. S. Hogg did not “come up,” and neither did Napoleon.

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