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and that I never contemplated giving him any such advantages as he seemed to expect as a matter of course. I am disgusted with him and what he gets from me hereafter he will have to pay me the cash for. Wrote to Mary. There was rain this morning turning to sleet in the afternoon and the weather is growing colder. Painted on my first little figure today deepening the back ground.

Tuesday 6"  Finished my little picture today, or at least finished it as far as I can until I have an opportunity to show it to Eastman Johnson for his advice and criticism. I wrote to him today telling him all about it, how seriously I contemplated trying to become a figure painter and how I have worked away on this. Joe Tomkins arrived this evening from Hillsboro and goes back tomorrow. I took a walk about 4 o'clock. It rained and "sleeted" all day and the land scape had a peculiar and beautiful effect with the grey sleety fields and patches of lighter snow under a heavy leaden sky. The look off towards Hussey Hill half smothered in mist was particularly fine, all the land scape looking distinct but as if seen through a colored glass very low and grave in tone. It was a subject for a picture.

Wednesday 7. The weather is most depressing. It has rained nearly all day and now two oclock it is pouring. I painted a little refining my picture after I call it finished and worked a little on the first figure.  Stretched and prepared a canvas 18 x 24 for another figure subject which I have in mind "Solitaire" Gertrude in an old high backed chair with her black and purple costume playing Solitaire. Took a walk in the rain. The ground is soaked and it is just about as dismal weather as one could imagine. Wrote to Mary, Gifford, Varnum, Fitch and [[Wilmurt?]].

Thursday 8. It was raining most of the day finally clearing off towards night. Commenced a picture 18 x 24 which I call "Solitaire" A lady sitting by a window playing "Solitaire" Gertrude sat for me in her black and purple costume.  

Friday 9. Painted on my "Solitaire" the sun shone brightly interfering with my light which was just what I wanted yesterday. I work under many disadvantages. The weather is as warm as spring, and not a bit of snow or ice to be seen. Two tug boats passed over the river from Albany on the 6" and encountered no ice. The last rains have made freshets. We walked yesterday and today.  Bingham gave readings here this evening but I did not go