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Los Angeles. Cal., Aug. 4, 1910. 325 West Adams Street. Dear Sister Mary:- A letter from you is a strange sight, something
like a long period comet. The last I heard Sarah was rapidly recovering, but I have not yet heard whether she had returned
to Pacific Grove. Before this last illness she was better than she had been for many years. I am glad you mentioned James
Whitehead, for as we grow older all these auld lang syne people become more and more interesting. Helen and her husband came
up in an automobile from Daggett to the old home at Martinez about a month ago intending to spend two months there, but she
stayed only ten days and hurried back to Daggett, because the change of climate began to have a serious effect on her sore
lung. She writes that she is now about as well ever, but after staying away two years on the desert and having her old trouble
come back so promptly as soon as she returned home shows she will never be likely to stay at Martinez. She will probably remain
on the desert or thereabouts permanently. I have been here a long time writing. One book is in the hands of the publishers,
Houghton Miflin Company, and will be brought out next spring, but this winter three or four chapters taken from the book will
appear in the Atlantic Monthly. I have another book, mostly on animals, for young folks, now on hand; which will probably
be completed by next spring.