all is completed,
and so is the parlor, through which you go to enter your room. The
large front room on the ground floor, which we call the library, is
now in the hands of the cabinetmaker. By this you are to understand
that we are having the oak trimming stained very dark so as to match
the permanent book-cases which the cabinetmaker has constructed for
us, and which will be set up this week. These book-cases extend
around three sides of the room, and will be capable of containing
about twelve hundred books. They are very handsome pieces of
furniture. We had them constructed in such a way as to be able to
add glass doors when we think we can afford to do so. We shall not
put any mantel either in the library or in Julia's room until the
financial outlook clears, for, as you surmised when you were here,
the funds with which you provided us are not sufficient to do all
that we want to do.

The roof to the old house will have to be patched up some. Then I
think we ought to have a roadway constructed from the front gate to
the house. The road at present is pretty nearly impassable. My idea
is that we ought to have a road-bed of coal cinders rolled down and
covered with fine gravel. This kind of road in private grounds is, I
understand, practically everlasting. Then, we have got to have a
front gate, the old affair having gone all to pieces. It is not at
all necessary to have a new fence for some time to come. I am told
that a roadway such as we want will cost $50. This means, I suppose,
$75. Mr. Stone is going to pay for the exterior painting of the
house. I suppose we ought to have the shingle roof painted. One coat
would be sufficient, and would involve a cost of $35 at the outside.

So far we have done pretty well, I think, with the means at our
disposal. What we have put into the house is of a good and durable
quality. Of course I understand, and so do you, that if we had the
same work to do over again doubtless we could do it cheaper, if not
better. There are also changes which have suggested themselves as we
went along which we did not deem it wise to make, inasmuch as they
were not absolutely necessary, and would have involved an
expenditure which we did not feel justified in making.

I am hoping that you will find it possible to spend your birthday
with us. If you will send me the date of the auspicious anniversary
I will gladly send passe