Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his daughter, Theodora Starkey Smith. “G. R. Starkey, M. D.” letterhead. Starkey acknowledges Dora’s favor, received Dec. 28th. Reading it, he was glad to learn that the children had a very nice party at Auntie Peirsol’s, which Auntie P. enjoyed almost as much as they did. They should all feel very grateful to the Peirsol folks for “getting up such fine entertainment.” He was pleased that Dora and Cara took the disappointment of not going to Mrs. Tilden’s so cheerfully, and he thinks they will enjoy the visit all the more in the future. He hopes Dora has gotten over her cough and is able to help Gertrude with housework. He is very sorry she is “losing [her] school” as her education is not complete – he noted several places in her letter where the orthography could be improved. He inquires how her head is doing, and supposes that Gertude has been singing “I want to be an angel!” He hopes to be home with his children and their mother in two weeks; It has been three long weeks already. He asks Dora to tell Cara that he is glad she has been keeping an eye on Gertude’s eating because it would be awful if she died from eating “too wholesome food.” Dora should also tell Ned that Lulu Hatch is making them a visit. Names mentioned: Auntie Peirsol, Cara (Cara Starkey Glenn), Mrs. Tilden, Gertrude (Gertude Starkey Glenn), Ned (Edward Starkey), Lulu Hatch, George (George G. Starkey) Places mentioned: Vineland