December 14 Tuesday — In Hamilton, Bermuda Sam wrote to Frances Nunnally in Atlanta.
Francesca dear, I received your last just before I left home, & was glad to see you were carrying on as joyously & as turbulently as ever I hope there has been no abatement, & that there won’t be any while you are young.
I reached here a month ago & had hardly registered at the hotel when an angel fish arrived with her mother & took me to their home by the sea, & I have been their grateful contented guest ever since. They have promised to give me a good long visit in the autumn.
I have driven two or three hours every afternoon with my hosts, after school hours, over these fine roads, in this fine air, with the brilliant blues of the sea always in sight, & have thus driven the dyspeptic pain in my breast almost entirely away. Also the furious thoughts about Miss Lyon & Ashcroft, that pair of professional traitors & forgers.
We (Paine & I—he is my secretary) sail for home next Saturday (20th) & reach new York 22d,
Dear heart, you must come & see me by & by. you said you would, you dear Francesca. / With lots of love / ... [MT P; MTAq 267].