Friday, 1908-08-21 from Elizabeth Stuit to H. Beekhuis

Woldendorp, August 21,

Dear Hinderik and Stientje,

It is a while ago since we received your letter from which we learned that you were all in good health but have a constant tooth ache. You must have received Rientje’s letter. Mother’s condition remains the same. Always coughing and spitting up.

On Tuesday she was so sick, I didn’t know what to do. On Wednesday she went out into the garden for a while but yesterday and today she is worse again. On Sunday Trijntje was here; she said she would have another day off in two weeks and was planning to go and see you then. She will probably write to you herself.

How are the beans? We have not eaten garden beans yet, but they are ready. On August 19 we received a letter from Pieter [in South Dakota]; they were all in good health. Do you ever get a letter from them? They hadn’t heard a word or sign from Trijntje, and Pieter asked if maybe she was living with the minister in Muntendam and was now too important.

Father is out harvesting with the scythe every day. It probably won’t be long, because they are working eight abreast. Have you harvested yet, and how are the crops now?

I am healthy now again but continue to have to drink a lot of milk. We had a different doctor for a week; he examined me too and said that my lungs were working well, but that I was very weak. But he forgot to look at mother, so we were glad when Dr. Winkel was back. Mother immediately got new medicine, pretty red potions. But even those don’t help it seems. I have to finish, because I have to get weighed. I do that every Friday, but I’m not gaining much. The children are all healthy again.

Heartfelt greetings from all of us. Your loving sister, Elizabeth Stuit.

Mother is not satisfied with my letter. I have to tell you that she gets a piece of meat every day and that the food tastes good, even though she is feverish.