Julie to Morris:

“Yesterday I drove out to Esperanza, both horses, taking Nell (Helen) and Lucy. It was a lovely day, and they had a thoroughly good time. It was curious to see their joy, and hear their reminiscences of their last year’s happiness…I only mention this to show you how every thing belonging to the place is dear and precious to them. Nell went all over the favorite spots bidding them adieu.”

While most of Julie’s letters are dominated by business (the rest of the letter is a very interesting discussion of the cows, poultry, orchards, and hired help); the letters also contain glimpses of the very real people and emotion.  And sometimes, as in this one, a hint of the constant strain that must have existed due to Morris’ yearly absences.  Esperanza was an escape from Hartford, which was ‘Julie without Morris’, and from New Orleans, which was ‘Morris without Julie’.  It was a new place, where they would all be together.  Interesting psychology at work.