On board the train, Feb. 18∕85.

This is a most superb winter morning—snow up to the fence-tops, splendid sunshine, no wind, white smoke floating up in lazy columns from the scattered log houses, the distances vague & soft in a haze that is lightly tinted with blue. A beautiful French Canadian girl came along, a minute ago at a station, clothed in a picturesque white short dress made of heavyⒶemendation white blanket with the red & blue stripes of the blanket running around the lower half of the skirt, a bro the body trimmed with blue, a broad blue beltⒶemendation, deerskin moccasins, a blue-&-red tuque on her head—a most picturesque & captivating spectacle. The youth with her was in a blanket-costume, also, adorned with strong bright colors; had tight blanket pants on, broad blue belt & tuque;, & moccasins. Doubtless they had been snoeshoeing, as these are snowshoing costumes.

Several gentlemen were indignant that the Governor General didn’t come to the reading or offer me any hospitalities of any kind; & said the town would by no means like it; for something was due me from the Marquis of Lansdowne, since everybody knows I was a guest of his predecessor & liked by him & the princess. I had wit enough to not divulge the fact that I hadn't had wit enough to invite the Governor to the show—& doubtless that was a politeness which was distinctly dueⒶemendation from me. I don’t know—but anyway I ought to have done it.

That poor Jean!—& poor mamma, too, who has to be up nights & take careⒶemendation of her. I do hope Jean is well by this time.

I love you, darling.