Tuesday evening

Dear Mavis,

I am staying with Muriel Jo again today and she is such a good patient that I have plenty of time to write. She seems much better today. She is not allowed any food yet, only iced tea, cocola or lemonade. The doctor dressed her side sine I came and the incision which is about 8 inches long is healing nicely. Muriel said she slept some last night on a large chair and she was feeling better. The doctor told her if she didn't eat and sleep some she would be his next patient. She feel better now that Jo is better. It has been so trying on her. She received your letter yesterday and said she cried when she finished reading it, but felt better afterward. We have all been upset over Jo. Papa seemed so relieved when he came to see her this morning and found her better. He felt like there should be some way to help her without an operation and didn't think she would live through one. Of course we know she is not out of danger but conditions are favorable and we are truly thankful The rain continues and the grass grows. One farmer put this sign on his cotton patch: "Please don't walk on the grass - there is cotton underneath", which would be appropriate in many fields. We have some fine corn and are having roasting ears.

Tell Mrs Dorah I appreciated her writing me and I know she meant well, but not having a daughter like you she wouldn't understand. Also tell Rural (sic) that if he lives up to the buildup that you and Mrs Dorah gave him he certainly will have a full life. I think you misunderstood me. I certainly have no objection to your marrying him. I know he must be a fine fellow or you couldn't care for him, but I know so well that you will not be happy so far from your kinpeople, and not being happy you cannot make him happy. I don't think it would be too much to ask him to give up his work there since farming can be done in different places. We have some level land in North Carolina near Charlotte and there are many large farms. Besides we haven't done badly even in this secton. He might like our country. Besides you gave your work up for him. I think men should be willing to give up things too. You mentioed friends. Well as I look back over the years I find that they have not meant so much. We spent time, hard work and money to be nice to our friends, but where are they now. I find that they have not contributed much to our lives, so we come to the conclusion that those bound to us by blood ties are the ones who mean the most and bring us the greatest happiness. It sounds selfish perhaps but I don't think it is. I don't believe anyone could think of me as being selfish, not for myself. I may be selfish where my children are concerned - what mother isn't? But I never have considered my wishes when it interfeared with the comfort and happiness of others. All my life I have just been willing to let things go and not say anything, hoping that things would work out for the best, but I have seen unhappy results, when probably if I had said what I thought was best it might have helped. So I decided for once in my life I would speak my mind. I am not ashamed of anything I said. If it hurt your feelings I am sorry. Your happiness is at stake and I can not say with a shrug of the shoulders "Well, go ahead, make any plans you wish. I will be glad to have Rural visit us.

Love,

Mother

This is all the paper I have with me. Jo is sleeping soundly.