but I shall hardly expect you to return so soon, but when you do I
shall certainly expect you to return this way--it does not appear pos-
sible that Christmas is so near at hand I don't know why it is
that time passes so rapidly, it is not that I have spent it so
pleasantly, and I fear much less profitably, I have had a useful lesson
taught me, and I hope the impression wil never die, but that I may
make it the subject of my contemplative hours this winter. I know
of very little what has passed in this place for a few months past
and I expect to know less, I find that our acquantances here do not
see fit to come near us when in affliction--We are very enga
ged in sewing as you may suppose, both tailoring and mantuamaking,
having gone so long has put our work back very much.
Sally has taken one of her Sister's children and we have two, the others
are at their Grandpapa Titus's with their father, his health is very
miserable--Grandmama continues to be very comfortable, Grace wants
me to mention that she wrote you a short time since--
I am afraid if I send letters the way you proposed you will
never receive them--William is rather negligent about sending letters,
I think the surest way will be by mail.------

Comment: William is likely Maria's brother. See Family Tree. "Uncle" possibly refers to Maria's and Susan's Uncle Benjamin Isaacs.
The red discoloration looks like sealing wax.