It was all I could do this morning to finish my chores in the house and the barn before I opened the gift from Thomas. And what a gift it is! It is a beautiful brooch with a white enamel figure against a background the color of a robin’s egg. Mama protested that I couldn’t possibly accept such a gift from a man, but Papa just smiled and said I should pin it to my dress to see how it looked.
I looked just like one of the ladies in the magazines I see in the shop in town. I love it! I am very eager to see Thomas to thank him for such a beautiful and generous gift. I’m keeping it, no matter what Mama says.
I wonder when I’ll see him again. And Lady and Jesse too, of course. But mostly Thomas.
T
January 10, 1866- Wednesday
What a surprise it was when Thomas visited this evening! He brought the children with him and Mama insisted that they stay for the evening meal. Lady and Jesse seem tired. I think they’re bored because they haven’t been able to spend much time outdoors—the weather has been stormy and wild. I don’t know how Thomas was able to get here over the drifts of snow between our house and the town, but I’m glad he did.
I thanked him for the brooch while Mama looked on disapprovingly. Papa just smiled again. It was as if he knew Thomas was going to give me that brooch.
Thomas had good news—the inside of his house is completed, so as soon as the weather gets better he’ll be able to get back to complete the smaller details on the outside. The house should be ready for him and the children to move into by spring.
I hope he hasn’t forgotten that he said he would show me the house after he finished it.
T