Hartford, Feb. 4.
My Dear Sister:
Ella Lampton doesn’t like me; & it is natural that this feeling should be inherited by the daughter. I have no feeling toward Ella (now) but compassion for her bereavements & hard fortune, & admiration of her courage & spirit in facing disaster with a brave front. However, what I am coming at, is this. We would like to ask the daughter to come here with Annie & spend a week with us—but I don’t wish to extend the invitation if it is likely to be responded to with an affront. Doubtless, with a trifle of ingenuity, you could find out ‸from the daughter, when she c‸ how it would be received—& then hint to me [whenther] I had better extend the invitation of or keep judiciously still. Understand?
Love to Ma & all.
Affly
Sam
Of course I only want to know how the daughter would receive it—don’t wish it submitted to Ella in any form, indirect or otherwise.
Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
Provenance:
See McKinney Family Papers in Description of Provenance.
Emendations and textual notes:
whenther • [‘n’ partly formed]
