Helen Woodrow Bones to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Indeed, nothing could make me anything but glad to get your letters, and I am sorry to seem so indifferent. But the past few days have been a little worse than most days, as Belle has been ill and—well, each and every one of us each is ready to crown her with a laurel wreath, upon her return. Early in the game I declared that she was the most wonderful person on earth next to your father, and Monday evening after having poured tea at your mother's afternoon “at home” Nell lifted up her voice in praise of her. Yesterday Margaret joined the chorus, declaring that if Belle had intended to show us how invaluable she was she certainly had chosen the right time to do it. Hoover can't speak of her (Belle) without tears in his eyes and Mr. Young isn't nearly so sure as he was at first that “we could can get along without her.” Your mother doesn't say anything, but I think it's because she is afraid of hurting my feelings; she knows I'm doing my best. (But it's a mighty poor best.)Did I answer about Mrs. Dewey (326)? I did write her and she got the note, for I called up and told her you were in doubt as to whether your note of thanks had been mailed. Also the one to Justice Pitney (316), about the present from the Princeton Alumni, was mailed, the day after you left. I don't remember about Mrs. Kinkead, at all. I have written her a letter (which hasn't yet been mailed for want of an address) asking her if any word of acknowledgment has ever reached her. As I was afraid I hadalready written her, I wrote the letter on the typewriter, so as to avoid complications as to handwriting. Belle says she can't remember about Mrs. Rhodes (347) and Mrs. Yuly (408), but she thinks she must have written to them if her name is down for that. I'll write and ask them whether or not they were thanked. The gold plates (404) from, Col Gen. & Mrs. Castleman I've Nellhas acknowledged; the note was dated Feb. first and I wrote a note to go with it, explaining that by oversight it hadn't been mailed before you left! (Of course you won't approve of the lie, but I guess you'll be glad to have the deed done!)Thos. Cork writes that the ps and silver bowl were sent by Miss F.L. Robinson Isabella Thorburn College, Lucknow, U.P., India; so that's settled!You poor little thing—hasn't any one written you about your father? He hasn't been ill enough to worry over, but has had a cold for several days that has made it hard for him to work. He really could have stood the New Jersey party, but Dr. Grayson wasn't willing to himhave him take the risk for fear he'd catch more cold. Isn't it miserable to be so in the public eye that one can't has have a cold in peace! An ordinary man could spend a day in bed every week and not have it noticed, but the President mustn't ever get tired.Margaret has had a cold too, but she was able to sing at the Sp's dDinner on Thurs Tuesday and every one says she sang beautifully. I had accepted an invitation for a dinner given by the Breckenridges so and as the dinner here threatened to become too large I thought I was more welcome at the other place. But so many people sent their regrets that after all there were only about seventy people here, so I might just as well have been here to hear Margaret sing; it makes me so mad to have missed it!Our beautiful baby went up to New York this morning. Don't blame her for not writing you, honey! She has been going so hard lately—not that she wants to go, poor worried little child!—that she simply hasn't had the strength to write letters. She didn't leave word for me as to whether or not she will be able to visit you, but I imagine she will have time in New York to tell write you.
This is a pretty incoherent letter, as I've been interrupted about one million times since I began it. I have to write at Belle's desk because of the telephone calls, which are frequent, that have to be answered; and this end of the hall is almost as private and peaceful as the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and f Fifteenth Street.
With loads of love from us all