I thought you would like to have a few lines from me, providing they required no answer.

  I have quite recovered from my illness, and am able to walk and skate as usual. My son, Walton, and I do both nearly every day of late. The weather here—as I suppose has been the case with you at Concord—has been very cold, the thermometer as low one morn (Saturday last) as five degrees above zero.

  We propose soon to take our annual tour on skates over the Middleboro’ ponds.

  I received your sister’s letter in reply to mine inquiring after your health. I was sorry to hear of your having pleurisy, but it may prove favorable after all to your case, as a counter-irritant often does to sick people. It appears to me you will in time recover—Nature can’t spare you, and we all, your friends, can’t spare you. So you must look out for us and hold on these many years yet.

  I wish I could see you oftener. I don’t believe in your silence and absence from congenial spirits. Companionship is one of the greatest blessings to me.

  Remember me kindly to my valued friends Mr. and Mrs. Alcott.

Yours truly, in haste,
D. R.

P.S. Thank your sister for her letter.

  At any time when you wish to visit us, just send a line. You are always welcome.