Your letter has relieved me very much. I have been dreadfully frightened about you for the last week. Do take care of yourself, my own darling, and I will also take good care of myself for the future.
We have both to live for each other for many happy years together.
You need not write near so heavily or use so much ink, and it would be also better to have a softer paper, more like blotting paper. YOUR OWN KING.
December 22, 1881.
Many happy returns of Christmas, my own darling. Though your husband cannot be with you this time, he looks forward to very many happy returns with you.
I am very, very happy that my own Wifie is better, and that she has been relieved from some of the intolerable annoyance for a time.
Your husband is quite well. We have succeeded in getting our new exercise ground.
ALWAYS YOUR LOVING KING.
Xmas Eve.
Letters of 22nd and 23rd arrived safely.