Sept. 24th 1884 My birthday! And last Saturday my little daughter was 6 months old. She cut her first tooth in the night of Saturday and in the early morning I felt it and was quite delighted. She gives promise of much sweetness as each day she makes progress in some little way. I cannot think she is very irritable as she never cries merely at being put out of her way, as for instance in bus or cab at night she smiles and plays even when sleepy.

I seldom subject her to this but did tonight from 7.30 to 9.00 coming from Mrs. Pepper’s. This morning I received four beautiful birthday cards which I greatly appreciate. Also a loving letter from poor dear Father who is in bitter sorrow through Alfred’s unfortunate marriage.

He and his wife were legally separated about August 4th the Sat before bank holiday. They have gone through untold bitterness through her annoying aggravating ways. By God’s mercy in answer to our prayers dear Alf was restrained from doing her personal violence and only by God’s mercy has it been. ‘Tis a most mysterious trial in its character and weight but God has his own purpose to answer by it. My chief prayer now is that dear Father may be more cheerful and take less heavily the cares which oppress him. Also that we may be an unbroken circle in Heaven where we shall know what we cannot understand here. My precious husband is the subject of God’s kind providence and our prayers together for him have been and are wonderfully answered. He takes a holiday from business next week.

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