Liberty's. Eliza wrote me at Lake Penzance asking me to go to Morris
Valley and look after Bettina.

I must confess that I was eager to do it. We three were very comfortable
at Mat Cottage, "Mat" being the name Charlie Sands, Tish's nephew, had
given it, being the initials of "Middle-Aged Trio." Not that I regard
the late forties as middle-aged. But Tish, of course, is fifty. Charlie
Sands, who is on a newspaper, calls us either the "M.A.T." or the
"B.A.'s," for "Beloved Aunts," although Aggie and I are not related
to him.

Bettina's mother's note:--

Not that she will allow you to do it, or because she isn't entirely
able to take care of herself; but because the people here are a talky
lot. Bettina will probably look after you. She has come from college
with a feeling that I am old and decrepit and must be cared for. She
maddens me with pillows and cups of tea and woolen shawls. She thinks
Morris Valley selfish and idle, and is disappointed in the church,
preferring her Presbyterianism pure. She is desirous now of learning
how to cook. If you decide to come I'll be grateful if you can keep
her out of the kitchen.

Devotedly, ELIZA.

P.S. If you can keep Bettina from getting married while I'm away
I'll be very glad. She believes a woman should marry and rear a
large family!

E.