Pine Grove, Monday, March 24th, 1873.

Dear Sister:

I got your letter on Saturday, and concluded I would drop a note in reply this morning. I got a letter from Agnes the same day. I suppose I shall have to visit the people in Penn'a before I go to China. In that case I don't see how I shall be able to spend more than two Sabbaths on Blue Run. Perhaps I had better stay away from there altogether, and then there may be less regret on both sides in parting. Or will there be more? Distance, it is said, "lends enchantment to the view." Did you ever notice that the farther apart friends may be, the more they think of one another; while the closer together they get the more apt it is for hard feelings to rise between them? But when I took up my pen I certainly had no idea of running off into such a train of thought as this.

Next Sabbath is the last I shall be with this people. The Sabbath following I am to spend in Ironton; and on Monday, the 7th of April, I expect to come home. Have a warm supper for me -- not any fresh boiled mice or tender rat steak, for I can get plenty of that in China -- and a peck of oats for Fan. (I haven't broken the back of the poor creature yet by hard riding over break-neck roads, but I shouldn't be surprised if my going away would break her heart). I am thankful for your offer to "do something for me" before I go, but I don't know what you can do unless it be to make a couple of good flannel shirts, if you can get the material. I will bear all expenses. My salary will be fully met, and I have already rec'd $40 in greenbacks from outside sources, in the way of gratuitous donation.

Affectionately yours,