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a foot deep and the slight rain had formed a crust on its surface. I went just beyond the cemetery and got some bunches of the red berries of the Black Alder to take to N.Y. with me. Sara, Gussie and I went over to Girards to see Jennings Christmas tree which he got up himself. Writing to Nett. Sterling I have thought so vividly again of dear Gertrude, my mother and Maurice and have had just a tinge of a sad feeling, but tomorrow is Christmas and the next day I go back to my work again. I feel ready and eager for work and many responsibilities must be met.

Christmas - Tuesday Dec. 25" 1883.
This morning the trees were covered with hoar frost which has remained all day. It has been grey and quiet, a perfect winter day, not too cold, and a serene and peaceful feeling has rested over our home. After breakfast we carried our presents into the dining room, filling the table, where we distributed them, I think to the great pleasure of all. Girard and Mary came over to dinner. This evening it is snowing again quietly. The snow is too deep for walking and I have been at home all day. I wrote to Mr. Dod of Hoboken whose wife died last week. Sara had a letter from Edith Cook telling her of her death which I saw in the Tribune on Wednesday last. Poor Maurice was here last Christmas but giving us the greatest anxiety. Poor boy, he troubles us no more. My mother has gone and our home circle gradually grows smaller. I cannot help a feeling of sadness when I think of these changes but I am thankful that they do not so utterly depress me as such trials once would. It is a gain to grow stronger in this direction and I believe as we grow older and meet oftener with sorrow we are strengthened to bear it better.

Wednesday 26. We took a long and beautiful sleigh ride after breakfast. Two or three inches of snow fell last night and this with the hoar frost which still remained made a most fairy like landscape. Sara, Gussie, my father and I drove up to Kingston where we got Louise Broadhead and Frank and drove out to the Aunt Katrine cross road and came home by Flatbush, a most beautiful ride, which we all enjoyed thoroughly. Sat down to a nice dinner and I went to N.Y. by 4.32 N.S. train. Arrived at my studio I found a note from Booth expressing great dissatisfaction that Downing had called at his home and requested to see Edwina. This made me almost sick. I hurried over to Vaux, and found a card on the door asking callers not to ring the bell as Mrs. Vaux was ill. Went in and saw Calvert & Marion and found Mary had a renewal of her Erysipelas, but was better. Showed Calvert and Marion Booths note which dumbfounded them. It was decided that I should go to Yonkers where Downing is, on the New Aqueduct work. Found I could not get back that night. Went to Getty House. Downing had gone out in his dress suit. Left a note for him and went to bed. He came in after an hour and awoke me. I had a serious talk and found him perfectly cool and as I felt pretty sound. He said he demanded from them an interview in order to vindicate himself from the calumnies going about concerning him and which he felt was prejudicing them unjustly

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