Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

It is just twelve o'clock and I have just come in from a nice little drive with Mary. We went to “Prospect” for her to see it and then on to the aqueduct. It is a glorious morning; the swamps about Stony Brook are a mass of the beautiful, rosy hibiscus, and the road-sides pink and white with ironweed and Queen Ann's lace,— beautiful! We had a charming drive. I am so sorry, dear, that you are worried about me,— and so unnecessarily! How badly I have managed! It was just that I kept thinking I would have a quieter, more uninterrupted time, – (above all a more unhurried)– for writing to you if I put off till night, and every night for a week (not two weeks, I am sure!) something came up to disarrange that little plan and postpone the letter until late. I shall certainly write in the day from now on and do nothing but amuse myself in the evening. That is a promise. When I go to the city only a line to let you know I am back safely. I am not going to be so full of business now for a time, for the reason that everything is under weigh. Plumbing, heating, lighting, painting, papering, carpets, shades, bedding, hangings, upholstering, refinishing are all settled and in detail and contracted for, and everything begun, and I can rather rest on my oars. I am going in Wednesday to get some odds and ends of silk, muslin, &c., to recover cushions, make bureau covers, &c, while I have time. There is a quantity of linen to hem but fortunately Anna does it beautifully, by hand, and is spending practically all her time at it. It was a severe shock to find that none of my table clothes would do on the new wide table; they would hang over the sides only two inches. So besides the two long ones I had to get ten others, costing about $15.00. Just beginning house-keeping over again! Isn't it dreadful? The old ones must be put away for the first trousseau!If you could see me you would certainly not be anxious about me, for I never felt better in my life, or less tired as a rule. And everyone speaks of how well I look. You know you have frequently observed that running about, going to the city, &c. agrees with me better than sitting at home sewing, even when the severe weather makes it a trial to me; and in this weather it is really a pleasure.

(You know if you come home exactly at the end of four weeks you will find the same reason to be bored that you had when you left.)

How long a journey is it? I suppose it is a day from there to New York. I told you, I think, that I am to be in New York on Tuesday the second for the sake of the china sale. If you must return the first of the month it would be good to have you meet me there that morning; for I would much prefer your help in selecting the china; we could get the silver too. I am assuming that you would reach NY late the night before. But I wish you would stay through that week. I really don't expect them to have the sort of china we want at that sale.

Father is well as usual today. Mary stays till Wed. morning.

With love inexpressible believe me darling,To whom did you send that extra “Harper” with your picture? I can't remember and I have three or four others to give away, and don't want to make a mistake.