Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
Mr. Crocker is going to Town tomorrow, & I thought I must write a few lines, just to tell you tis 4 whole weeks since you left us. I did all I could last evening to make every thing agreable for your reception. Put the Children to bed early & had a fine great fire to entertain you, & was much disappointed at being obliged to go to bed without that Pleasure which I did not do untill late, in hopes you might come. Aunt is very well but has not half milk eno’ for the boy which makes him dreadfull cross. She intends to go down stairs tomorrow. Tommys Cough seems better. My other Cozes are all well. It greives me much, that I cant manage Bob, at 418all. He has not read to me, more than twice since you left us, & once to his mamma, nor I cant make him, unless I used a great deal of severity; more than I chuse to. His behaviour Puts it wholy out of my Power to be of any advantage to him. It would be a great Pleasure to me to teach him all in my Power every day, was he willing to learn. I fear Sir we shall not have yr. Company to keep thanksgiving with us. Neither shall I go home, which thought lyes next my heart. I am Sir yrs. &c.