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one I let him have the one I had. Mrs. Lacey called and took her photographs. Calvert called. I have been at work on a small picture I began last spring. While he was here a gentleman called, a Mr Battelle for whom Whittredge and Hubbard are painting pictures. He said he wanted one of mine and asked the price of several and said his daughter would come to see me. It is raining a little this evening. Came to my room after dinner and spent the evening braiding some birch bark for Downing to show to Mr. Lewis. Am reading [[Fronders?]] account of the imprisonment of the Queen of Scots. What a sterling character was her brother the Regent Earl Murray. A noble record to leave in history.

Thursday Dec 22, 1881. Rainy. Girard breakfasted with us. I went down town on Christmas errands. Horribly filthy streets. I wonder the people endure them. Went home by 4 o clock train Found Gertrude Tomkins there, just arrived and Jamie Andrews who came on Tuesday

Friday 23. Jamie Andrews, Jimmy McEntee and I went after a Christmas tree and some laurel, through seas of mud, out to the place where I always go on the Cross road between the Flat=bush and Pine brush roads. It rained a part of the time and turned into a snow storm on our return and was about as disagreeable day as could be. Little Jimmy was nearly frozen and we were all glad to get home with our load. A letter from Royal Reed telling me he had sent some more partridges and some little Christmas presents from Mrs. Sawyer and Alice.

Saturday 24" Cold but no snow. Joe Tomkins and I trimmed the parlor and arranged the Christmas tree after which I made an oil sketch of it. There was a wreath of presents from all the family. Did not feel very well. In the evening had the tree lighted and the presents distributed. It was very amusing to see little Girard who was let in before the rest. I do not think he recognized the room and he went about looking very dazed and embarassed. There were present of our family my father and mother, Maurice, Sara, Gussie, Joe Gertrude, Girard & Mary & their three children and servant and Mrs. Davis. It was a beautiful tree and gave the children great pleasure. There was an undertone of sorrow in it all for I was thinking of my dear Gertrude and the charm of her sweet bright presence was painfully missed by me

Sunday 25. A bright day but full of sad memories. I could not resist a melancholy feeling. I ready my diary and recalled the past Christmases when dear Gertrude was with