Upon reading Mr. Robert Martin’s letter again some few months later, and having given it a great deal of thought, Harriet Smith felt it only natural to secretly send him a letter on Valentine’s Day.
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Dear Mr. Martin,
Oh, how I miss the Martins of Abbey-Mill-Farm, you and your sisters have occupied my thoughts a good deal, as I remember our very happy months together sharing the many comforts of your farm.
I was wondering, how is the little Welch cow, you know, the very pretty little Welch cow, that your mother called “my” cow? Is she well? I must tell you that every time I see a cow, I think of you.
Have you been in town of late? I appreciate your going those three miles round one day just to bring me a bag of walnuts. It was so obliging! I must confess, that whenever I eat walnuts, it is your face that I recall.
Please accept my belated gratitude. It was so very kind of you to bring Mrs. Goddard such a beautiful goose last year: the finest goose Mrs. Goddard had ever seen! As you can imagine, each time Mrs. Goddard dresses a Sunday goose with vigor, well, you come to mind.
Oh! I know that you are not handsome — not at all handsome, but when I see you on horseback, or walking, or standing in the road my curiosity is raised.
Have you been reading your Agricultural Reports?
I was so fond of the way you recited “Elegant Extracts” and as you know, I found them very entertaining! I delighted in hearing you speak of proper seeding methods and fertilization. And here I too confess, that when I walk through a pasture on a fair day, the pungent scent of manure brings your very countenance to mind.
And so, with this, I wonder if you ever think of me?
I bid you well and wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Harriet Smith
*Photo: White cow with dark spots grazing on a hill by Horia Varlan, obtained by Flickr.