Dear wife!

Thank you for the letter that came today. You are very well great. Earl’s wife has been fully great. I think he has gotten one more letter than me from her since I came. 

You should send down here En Havets Sønn. I must read the book to see if it is suited for translation. 

Good grief, so much extra work I get of that kind. Today a long review came here about some things for Historielaget. That has to be answered laboriously. So this book has to be read. Yesterday came an interesting letter from St. Petersburg. Will put it in here. Might be good it doesn’t have time with me; then there would be more disturbances from people because there are so many Norwegians. 

Finally I have gotten the letter away to be laminated, and now I must very well write to Magelssen’s too. 

Yesterday Newburger sent a box of fruits to Tulla. Don’t tell her about it before it comes! Then she will have to soon write him a beautiful and good letter. 

You could also send them some words now and then. And a little bit of lingonberries and butter cookies. Or Tulla could also do it. They would be delighted over small things like this.

Yesterday afternoon we were out on the biggest fruit plantage in Florida. You can believe it was a sight. Just grapefruit and oranges. We got to take everything we felt like picking up out of what fell on the field. Mrs. N. and I helped ourselves, but it did not show. All the same, I was so shameful that I wanted the horseman to come to the car and see what we had taken, and I begged to pay. He just laughed, “Why didn’t you pick the car full?” he asked. He paid $6.50 including transportation. It has been cold for two days now, and is still. I would like it to be substantially warmer. But it will surely get better.

Today Newburger’s autobiography came back. It cannot be sold in its current form, and he is beginning to suspect this himself. Too bad for him, as it is remarkable. That is to say, the material is. 

Finally invite the Norwegian teachers! It will do you good. I hope you will keep that company while Ida is there!

I am winning around 3 to 4 against Newburger. It’s because he bid so high. So far we have not played bridge, and that is good; I have had all too much to see and think about otherwise.

This week I have felt a little better. Not so much agitation or pains in my heart.

How is it going with Fritjof? Best that you also keep an eye on the car.

I will set aside Sunday evening for writing to him. Tulla is going to lose at this affair. I will see what can be done then. 

Yes, now I cannot remember anything else that must be said. Would you be so kind as to go to both Hetle and Rassmussen and greet them! I do not know when I can take the time to write to them.

Lots of squeezing, and all the pats you want!

The old man