May 17 Sunday – In Fairhaven, Mass. Sam wrote to Livy.
Livy darling, your message did not reach us last night; New Bedford said at 9.30 p.m. that none had arrived; but we got it this morning. Poor little Benny! & poor little Mamma! It is good that aunt Sue is there & that Katy can be with you—I am very glad, since I am not there to help. Yesterday Mr. Rogers played one game of billiards too many—then we shut him off; then he drove one mile too many & we shut him off; after dinner Benjamin & I sent him to bed earlier than he wanted to go—then we played billiards till 11.30. This forenoon we have done a good deal of walking—it is a fine air, & no end of bird-music. It is you, & not I, that ought to be having this outing; it would do you so much good, & you need it whereas I don’t.
The telegraph is a slow vehicle; I shall use the telephone henceforth. Dear sweetheart, good-day—I am going to take a large nap, now. I do love you so, dearheart [MTP].