1861 November 15, Awbury, to Dear Anna, Newport

              Awbury 11th mo. 15th 1861Dear AnnaI hope the weather with you has not undergone the same change it has with us.  Since you left till today it has been delightful but this morning it is chilly, November like, occasionally spitting snow & hail, though I hardly think it looks like the beginning of a storm. It has occasioned the overhauling of the childrens thick overcoats & I hope we shall find enough to make them comfortable if not very fun looking. We are getting our winter quarters into pretty fair cond. The express[?] brought the new chamber carpet this morning & I suppose we shall have the children picking up tacks at the rate of five a minute by tomorrow afternoon. [?] had the nursery at [?] for three days after [?]. Its more of a job than I expected it would be & now it’s too late I dont know whether its worth. I suppose they will begin painting over the windowsills tomorrow. The children keep in