Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

This is my last letter and, I find, my last sheet of paper; that shows careful calculation, does'nt it? I am certainly happy to know it is the last and that day after tomorrow I will be in my darlings arms. Ah won't it be good to be together. We will have a few days of perfect holiday-making since you can't leave at once. What shall we do to celebrate the completion of all that work,— the history and the inaugural? We must think of something.

Alas! that coy sunshine has deserted us again, it is a grey day– and cold! I am shivering in my jacket. Surely it can't have been very hot even in Princeton with such constant low temperature here.

I am very much disappointed that Pirie McDonald did not send all the proofs. Won't you please write and ask him for them? It would be very strange, if there were no really good ones in all that lot, and I can't bear the idea of their being altogether lost, without our even seeing them. If that thing was really the best he can do then I don't think much of him as an “artist-photographer.” Since I am to be back so soon suppose you do not finally settle about the chimneys until my return. You have not answered– my questions about Mr. Whitley. I do hope he has been written to about “Prospect.” And will you ask them,-Mr. Pyne I suppose,-to write to Sloanes about that discount on carpets at once, so that it will be arranged for before we go in early next week. We will certainly need as big a one as possible for Wiltons are $2.50 a yard.

I am perfectly well and thoroughly rested,–mind as well as body by a course of novel-reading which served well its purpose of taking me out of my own life temporarily with its, present, necessity for planning so many things. The planning seemed wearisome before I left home, but now I am looking forward to the work at Prospect next month with real eagerness and pleasure. I can already see the completed rooms in my mind's eye, and they are beautiful. I have the most beautiful tapestry paper for the guest room and Morris hangings in cotton to go with it, so artistic and so rich and dignified looking. The carpet will be solid mahogany red with one of our fine rugs at the hearth.

Give my dear love to Father & the girls. I love you, dear, more than tongue can tell, – you are the well-spring of all joy in my life; – I am always and altogether,