December 30 Sunday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Mary Mason Fairbanks.

We are hermits, now, & must doubtless remain so the rest of the winter. Theodore Crane has been here a month or two in a precarious state, because of a stroke of paralysis. Sometimes he picks up a little, & then for a day or two it is a cheerful house; after that, he drops back again, & the gloom & the apprehension return.

Sam confessed the situation with Theo was pulling down Susan L. Crane and also Livy; that they needed a good vacation; and that since Mary had no plans to visit, she wasn’t missing anything.

Susie & Clara are big girls, now, & Jean is coming along. Livy’s health is good — for her. We all hold you in loving remembrance, & send you a full invoice of affectionate holiday greetings [MTMF 262-3].