Feb 14th

Alas the day has passed without the looked for letters. The end of the week will doubtless bring them. This morning after breakfast I lanced old Frank’s leg he bore it without moving a muscle and has had marked relief from it. He is quite happy now. The day has been very fine tho’ a little cold. The back bone of the winter is pretty well broken. I have had a good many Indians in my room today, some to talk and some to sketch + others because I could not help them coming in. One was a very fine looking fellow over six feet tall + broad + sinewy, he was very much pleased with my sketch of him + promised to bring me a buffalo robe for it, not because I gave it to him but because he felt flattered. At first I had no intention of giving it to him but afterward I did, and he went away excessively pleased. This evening after dinner while we were sitting around the Mess fire, we heard a great noise of the Indians + going out found they were having a dance at Conrad’s. We went to see them but such a crowd went in that they could not dance + they all went off in a huff. I expect that you were quietly in church just then. I wonder what you are doing now, 10 o’clock? It must be about 12 in Toronto, so I suppose you are sleeping soundly. Dear Dear Lizzie, I do so want to see you again. I am getting awfully tired out here by myself. I wish I could bring you out here, but that would hardly be fair. Anyway, it is useless to wish impossibilities, so that is our end of it. The Mail will tell me something about you + make you feel nearer. Good night.