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I have not the equanimity to meet the discouragement which I wish I had. Maurice came home this afternoon and Mrs. Davis saw him go to his room. Just what I have been dreading. He has been gone more than a week now and his condition must be something frightful. I had a talk with my father and plainly told him I thought he ought to tell him we would not have him here. He threw the whole responsibility on me which I will not assume and he felt very injured and very hard towards me. My poor mother was very agitated and I can see it tells on Downing. Altogether the outlook tonight is a most unhappy one. It may seem different tomorrow. I think it outrageous that one dissolute, selfish man should be allowed to spoil the peace of a whole household If Maurice were at all trustable when he is himself I could better bear these trials, but he dont care how much he tortures us and apparently has no thought of his poor mother. He went deliberately upon this debauch and I think he ought to be made to feel the consequence of it instead of loading it upon us. I confess I have no compassion for him and shall not go near him.

Tuesday June 12" 1883. Marion stood for me again this forenoon over in my studio and I succeeded in painting a much better head than I have heretofore had. Maurice went off again early this morning. Downing and I after dinner walked over the ridge and down to the old Van Akin place in Esopus to see if I could not find something for a background to my picture. We found the place very picturesque and quaint and I aim to go there to make at least one study and probably more. Received notice of a special meeting at the Century Wednesday evening. I shall go down.

Wednesday 13. Marion left by morning train to go to Dobbs ferry to attend a party at Mr. Braces and Downing and I went to N.Y. by the day boat Albany. It was a warm day but cloudy and we had a most delightful sail down. The river was charming and we enjoyed the trip greatly. Just before we reached the city the wind sprang up from the N. W. and it grew delightfully cool. We reached town at 5.30 and went directly to Marys where we had dinner. Calvert and Mary regretted that Downing came down and have urged him 

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