Ellen Axson Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

My darling

Only think! This is the last letter that will reach you before you start home,—and I am not even sure that it will. What a full month it has been for you, my darling! I hope you will be able to sleep all day, as well as night, on the return voyage.
We had a fine cablegram yesterday from your “host,” and were delighted to get it—though we do not know who the gentleman was. It is from Lyndhurst & is signed “Mather Brunshaw.” I think possible it is Sir W.
M. Mather. But why the “Brunshaw?”The Smiths, Nell & Ben have just returned from New Orleans where they had, of course, a good time in spite of the perfectly outrageous conduct of the reporters. They positively pursued the child like a pack of hungry wolves. Fortunately, they have not as yet got on the right scent as regards Ben. One paper, said he was a young Mississippian who was very attentive to Margaret! One woman reporter came to see Lucy about that,—and you may imagine what fun Lucy had out of the situation, and how well she handled it, and how indignant that for the third time Margaret should be reported engaged to a man whom she hardly knew!We are doing very well here, though the climate has been a complete failure so far It is generally raw and chill and raining. When it clears it is cold and very windy. But we have now resigned ourselves to it, and so are resting and being cheerful in spite of it. Your father find the golf and seclusion sufficient in themselves, and he certainly is improving.
He is beginning now to do a good deal of business however;—is reading quantities of papers about the trusts, in addition to two hours daily of dictating to Swem. And Lind is coming over in a U.
S. cruiser from Vera Cruz for a long conference;—but that is a great secret.Mr. Genthe has sent me a lovelycoloured picture of you,—full laugh, adorable! Also a fascinating and very picturesque one of Margaret with flowers all about her;—quite wonderful as to colour. And I bought from him for your father's birthday present the good one of Nell as the bird-spirit. So I do feel rich—with pictures of you all in colour. Mr. Genthe, who is as recklessly generous as Fred Yates, also gave me the coloured photograph of from the Vonnoh painting, and to Nell he gave the colouredcast plate of the Bird Masque. He is still so thrilled at having been at the wedding that he seems to think all this is the least he can do to show his appreciation.
I get letters fom Mr. Vonnoh every few days enclosing clippings about his “show”. The bust of you is especially admired;—and the papers have it that it was your wedding present to Frank!I have had a sweet letter from Mrs. Yates expressing her delight at having seen you.—But perhaps I ought to stop and see the family,—who have really just arrived. We are beginning to count the days now when you too (or two) will arrive. How many, many interesting things you will have to tell us during that dear week together! Everybody sends love love, love inexpressible to our dear children. I have not found the “great heart-word” that would tell you how I love you dear.As ever, Your devoted,
Mother.