Koamalu : a story of pioneers on Kauai, and of what they built in that island garden / by Ethel M. Damon. [Vol. 1, no. 2]

EBB AND FLOW

653

away with some new Idea. It is a life of luxury, seeing just as
much or as little company as I like. Every one says I look better,
and I think I am gaining. I have a splendid Appetite and am
always hungry. My cough is variable, but never so bad as at
home, and I am perfectly free from aches and pains.
I had quite a talk with Mr. Mills in our little Parlor after
Thanksgiving Dinner. He told me all about purchasing this place
and how he carries on the mortgage. He is a splendid manager,
and has the true missionary spirit. Besides five girls from the
Islands, he has five from California, making ten in all who pay
only a part, some very little. He feels that he & Mrs Mills are
doing this for the Lord. I am so glad we can pay the full expense
for Molly and myself.
Oh dear, how stupid 'tis to write, when I could say more in
an hour than I can write in a day. My heart is always over the
Sea, with You, My precious little children. I can hardly bear to
write about them, it makes me feel so homesick. Talk to Dora
and my baby about Mamma, so that they won't forget me. I cannot hear too much about them, or any of you. I want to know
Anna's remarks, and if Paul teases her, and all Paul's business,
and Mother's daily work, and cares. All about the Natives too.
And give my love to Carl. When will that Vanderbilt come and
bring me news of you, and when will something else go and bear
you news of me? I can see Mother's anxious face as the days
lengthen and no letters come from Maria, and finally when Paul
comes in some day and says letters at last, her heart will be in
her mouth, fearing some very bad news, but I have nothing bad to
write.
December 3.
Mollie and I have had colds, like almost all the other girls, but
are amending bravely. Victor writes Mollie very funny letters
from Tennessee. He is a great tease and seems to enjoy Emily
immensely. The child is desperately in love with her Colonel
George de la Vergne and it does seem so comical for her, who
has always had such fun at the expense of others in that predicament. Her lover has set the date for January first, but she does
not know it yet.