My Dearest Alistair,
You will be pleased to hear that Clarissa and I are both well, although we continue each to find reasons for discontent with the presence and conduct of the other. You must understand that when two or more women are required to share the resources of a common life, there will be strife and disharmony. As C. and I have been striving with and against each other for some number of years now, it has come to seem that this, perhaps, is the natural state of things and there should be no further attempt to resolve or remove such conflict. We worry not about oil touching water.
C. reported to me that she has seen, not once but several times, a serpent of mysterious identity sunning itself on the rock ledge to the south of the well. She reports that, upon sensing her approach, it heaved itself off and away, in an odd and lateral twisting gait. I myself have not seen it, but I do believe that we should ensure care in avoidance of such a beast.
The flower garden has begun it’s Spring Bloom, as it does nearly every year, except in those of hideous drought or tremendous flooding, in which case C. will never deign to share her pharmacopeia of dried and preserved blossoms for the good of the household. But fear not, I have laid up a good supply of my own of burdock and foxglove, for any such situation that may require application of either. One does remember, my dearest Alistair, what good such herbal applications do in cleansing and soothing the internal machinations.
The oldest cow, Hannah, has calved not one, but a lovely set of twin heifers. You will remember that we had her presented to old Mr. Halvorson’s red bull last summer and now we are blessed with a double blessing. I have called them Castor and Pollux, masculine names for heifers, perhaps, but the pairing seems apt. I fear that Castor is the weaker sister, though, and perhaps her mortality shall pay a visit to the byre stoop before Pollux is grown. Such is the nature of things, I suppose. With the abundance of milk from old Hannah, we have been churning great slabs of butter, which I have been sending C. to commit to safe storage in the cold depth of the well.
The old North Road has been closed since you have been here. The gentleman from the county seat explains that, with the latest flood, a great deal of the foundation and the largest bridge have been washed away. With the rains we have had, more flooding may be expected and he believes that it is entirely possible that we should lose not just roading and bridgeworks, but that livestock and even people might be swept away, should they venture too closely to the worrisome portions. I will take great care to ensure that I, and of course C., avoid all such perilous passage.
You will be saddened to learn of the great loss suffered by the good Reverend Collier and his wife. Their dear youngest daughter, the one who was engaged to be married next Spring, has been taken ill with consumption and crossed into Heaven this past Thursday. I, being much occupied with the house, garden, and livestock, was unable to help Mrs. Reverend with the chores and tasks of nursing, but I sent C. there many an afternoon and long into the evenings to assist with the details of a sickbed. I am sure that her care and skill were much welcomed.
With the house and garden being busy with Spring, I really must return to my duties, my dearest Alistair. I want to assure you that I am taking utmost care to see that when you return, you will find the property to be thriving and all things, great and small, to be harmonious. Return soon, my dearest, and in hale form.
I remain,
Your Beloved Amelia
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