1918 I Street, Washington DC: June 8, 1907
Dearest Mamma,
This afternoon we leave for Norfolk on the boat, getting there at seven tomorrow morning. That is, we hope to, Cousin Lamar Adgate and I. Thank fortune Mr. L stays behind. Cousin Sallie and her crowd arrive in Norfolk tomorrow after lunch, when we will join them. I am very glad I stayed over, for Cousin Lamar would never have gotten away otherwise. There were several big jobs to be done before she could leave, which she had seen attacking in a haphazard style, and then putting down unfinished. I found myself taking charge of her goings and comings, and pushing her on to finish up things, before I had been here a day. As it is now, we have cleaned up Reutecomb [sic], spending half of each day there, nailed up her closets, silver, etc, and gotten it ready for its summer tenants. It is to be sold in the autumn, and I will be thankful when she gets her $10,000 out of the money, for things are much worse with her than you could imagine unless you had been here and seen, as I have. She is a nervous wreck, and if something isn't done, will drop under this ceaseless strain and struggle with a husband who when (comparatively) sober, is a bombastic, or tearful and broken creature, and when drunk—as he has been for two evenings past, is loud, singing at the top of his lungs on the stoop, and familiar to every woman in sight. Now don't understand from that, that I have had any trouble with him, for I seem to have a way of repelling him. His own son will not go near him, and one evening when Adgate, waiting for us, had to be with his father, it was very evident what his opinions were. The boy is a fine fellow, so Cousin Lamar says, and I can well believe it. Works hard, is cultured and very bright, and the reverse of crazy over girls. He certainly has been lovely to me, for some reason. I am enclosing a picture we had taken at Luna Park one night. Luna is verily a descendant of Coney, but we did have a beautiful time there Thursday evening.
I am trying to make Cousin Lamar come up to Highland Falls this summer, but she refuses, just as last Monday she refused to go to Jamestown. It is terrible to see such a brilliant, positive character as she, come down to this. This cheap boarding house, no decent clothes, and not a single comfort. I got her a parasol for $3 which she had priced a day before and looked longingly at, and gave her that pink dressing sacque [sic]. You don't mind? I am keeping an account of what I spend for your inspection, and am trying to be careful.
That Anaise Howard who was after Cousin Harrie, you remember what Cousin Lee said? was there for another long visit when I was, and now is at St. Louis with the Ansleys. She is a thin, sound sickly woman of around 35, and was rude to Cousin Lamar, but for some reason googooed over me. But I certainly despise her, and hope Cousin H does too. Let me tell you something. One night C H kissed Anne good night, then me. I didn't want to, but there really wasn't any harm. Miss H leered over at me "Miss Glenn, you certainly look like you enjoyed that"—I said "Yes, and you have too, if you had a chance." Then to my amazement Cousin H came out with, "Anaise looks superior now, but never you mind, Helen, she gives me a smack too, when no one is looking."
I'll wire from Norfolk, honey. I have been enjoying my trip, but would love to see my Babe.
Nin
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