our dear mother's health. She seems a little better than last week but the disease is not removed and she can get very little rest. She is so thin and her bones are so painful. Her breathing at times is very bad. She is now so weak that some one must always sit up at night with her. I fear much that there is little hope of her recovery. It is indeed a great affliction but I must try bear it with patience. God's will be done. He knows what is best and He will give me comfort and support if I look to Him for help. Still when there is life there is hope and it may yet please God to spare her . I try to feel quiet and composed but I cannot help sometimes giving way to grief. I must however for the sake of my dear husband and father struggle against it for can the [crossed out] and I must endeavour to keep up poor Papa's spirits. He seems so miserable I am sure I never can be sufficiently grateful to the Pauls for their kindness had they been near relations they could not do more than they have done for us. Mrs Hart spends some hours every day with Mama to read to her and give me a little rest. She also sometimes sits up at night.