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Letter from Mrs. Alexander Graham Bell to Dr. Alexander Graham Bell.
1331 Connecticut Avenue.
Washington, D. C.
March 18, (1909.)
My dear Alec:
Little Barbara arrived about dawn this morning. Daisy knew her baby was coming about noon yesterday, but was able to take Sandie to see Mrs. Piatt her old school teacher, and to have a good sleep until about 3 A.M., so she was only ill about two hours. I came downstairs about half past four, but she had said she did not want me to be with her, so I waited outside till they brought me the baby all wrapped in her blanket. Then she opened a pair of large round dark eyes and seemed to take a very intelligent and pleasant survey of things in general. Then she found the relation of thumb and mouth. I had no idea that the action was so instinctive and inborn. She weighs 8 – 11 ½ pounds, is a perfectly formed, strong and healthy child. Daisy has nursed her, and apparently had almost too much for her for she has got rid of some of it, to put it elegantly.
I think both Daisy and David wanted another Sandie and I am afraid I did also, but Daisy said she thought two children were enough for two such old people as they and if this had been a boy she would just have had to try again for she wanted a little girl anyhow. Now she won't have to try again!
Sandie did not approve, he thought first it was a dolly and then got frightened. “It's biting Marmie's arm, It's eating Marmie all up” he said, and began to whimper, but he finally concluded to be interested and examined it all over very carefully.
I am in two minds about your going to Ottawa. It seems such an opportunity as you should not neglect, and yet I hate to have you sacrifice the last days of the A.E.A. Still it may mean so overwhelmingly much. The Govt. may take over the whole expense of further experimenting with the Silver Dart and the engine and we may evolve something for the Cygnet. I have just got hold of the Bulletin of March 15. I haven't seen that of March 8 yet, but the 15 seems to go right back to where we left Baddeck. It seems to me that all your experiments with this motor and the Cygnet II must necessarily be utterly inconclusive if you only have 30 horse-power at most. All you can deduce is that 30 horse-power with the weight involved will or will not lift the Cygnet II. I am very much interested in your observations on vibration of guy wires and struts. Isn't it all fascinating.
I must close now and go out for a little in Mamma's automobile. I've been up since before 5 A.M., and am getting most ready for bed.
Lovingly,
Mabel.