Dearest Minnie, I am so sorry you did not get the Xmas letter which I wanted very much to write you, but until the day came I was very busy. In order not to make Julia and Lou feel badly, I made up my mind to go in Xmas afternoon to JuliaGÇÖs tree, intending to dedicate the late afternoon to you, but unhappily I had overestimated my self control and had to come away very soon and give up writing, too. When I did come down I found your etching and had the pleasure of opening it and looking at it carefully before the girls came back from the tree. I like it very much and think it decidedly clever and very promising and am very glad to have it for its own sake as well as for that of its giver. Thanks, dear Minnie, for it, and for your letter which was lovely. I wish I could tell you what a comforting thing it is to me that your love for me is unchanged. I hope, if we live to grow old, we may be able to look back on a long series of years of unbroken friendship. It is certainly one of the GodsGÇÖ best gifts. We are going back the day after New Year, so that I shall see you before long, I hope. The little Shakespeare reached you safely and in good time, I hope. If it gives you half the pleasure mine has given me for many years, I shall be satisfied. Very lovingly yours, Mary E.G.
