Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

I have been to New York today, and since my return have sat a long time with Father and written several business letters, so I fear I must put you off with no more of a letter than the one I received! A very sweet little note however and quite sufficient under the circumstances!

I have just written long letters of explanation to Mr. Alexander Bell enclosing the bill for the mirrors and to the auctioneer who sold them to me. It is a very humiliating business for me! — We decided on Mr. Cope's advice to get two mirrors, since the two cost less than we had expected to pay for the one, and since I found I could afford it. The second one is to go where the plain one is now and the plain one, stained to match the wood-work, is to go over the dining room mantle. The two mirrors are the same price and style, – indeed came out of the same room. Mr. Cope said, just as Mr. Holmes did, that what the room wanted most to carry out the style was “glass and gold”! It will be stunning, will it nowt? – with the two. And so perfectly consistent

Please tell Mr. Lavake that his design is perfectly hideous, for it certainly is. Imagine two heads in those little cramped spaces! Tell him if he must have the two heads to have one on one side, one on the other, & leave off Old North. Don't be weakly good-natured and allow him to perpetrate, (and perpetuate) some horror on such an occasion! All well; the weather still perfect.

With love inexpressible, believe me, darling, always and altogether,