Monday,
                                         1877

slc  

On the 10th of May I am going off on a sea voyage, to be gone till toward the end of that month. It is to get the world & the devil out of my head so that I can start fresh at the farm early in June. My great problem is how to leave Livy for 2 or 3 weeks so that my absence will be no detriment to her. We can’t think of any company that can compensate her for my absence & be able to make her forget that absence but you. Could you come & stay here while I am gone? Livy says you had better go to the farm, & insists that I shan’t urge you to come here. So I don’t urge, but only ask if you can come without inconvenience & without detriment to your plans. With love to you all—affectionately