Object, Matrimony

Ch. 6: Indescribable

To: Mister Aaron Hotchner

Box 173

Sapíia, Wyoming Territory

From: Miss Victoria Beauregard

6 Logan Cir NW #2

Washington, D.C.

August 13, 1874

Mister Hotchner,

I have included letters for Mister Jack Hotchner and Miss Brooks in this envelope. Please be assured that the version of Miss Brooks' letter I received confirmed the honesty of your accounts and offered additional praises I know you are too modest to give yourself. Her ability to bestow both honors and censure in a single page is impressive, and her arguments were all supported by solid evidence that would make a courtroom lawyer proud. The children of Sapíia are fortunate to have her as their teacher. I can see the impact she has had within Jack's letters. His ability to reach logical conclusions is impressive for such a young age, as is his handwriting. It has improved dramatically in merely two letters, and I am confident that within the year, he will have better penmanship than most of the adults whom I know.

Generosity is not taught in a classroom, meaning his decision to give me his wonderful drawing is due to your child-rearing. His desire to show it to all before sending it to me is understandable. Even if he had not titled the piece, I would have instantly known it depicted a dog. I have been scouring the shops for frames worthy of holding his artwork. Until I find one that meets my standards, I will keep it safe on my desk so that I may admire it often. Did he get his artistic talents from you or his mother?

I take great interest in seeing how children follow their parents. The four children in our family take after our parents in varying proportions, with my oldest brother being a twin to my father, born thirty years later, myself a copy of my mother down to our temperaments, and my other two brothers a combination in both looks and personality. May I enquire as to the proportions of Jack's inheritance from you and his mother?

Missus Charlotte will be pleased to learn that her letter did not dissuade you from continuing our correspondence. Several days after mailing the letter, she informed me that half of it was dedicated to criticizing my inability to observe the Sabbath. Missus Charlotte would never lie, even to protect an employee's reputation. But she did voice concern that her words were not properly tempered with assurances that the flaw is not symptomatic of far greater failures of character. If you require an additional witness to attest to my character, I will gladly ask another household member. However, I will not be able to find one to counter her criticism of my observance of the Fourth Commandment, as it is a deficiency I have had for most of my life.

I am grateful to the Lightman family for employing me these past seven years. They are generous in salary and have always treated me well. The other household employees are also all kind and agreeable people with whom I enjoy working. However, I have never referred to this house as my home. I sleep in a bed that is not mine, live with people who are only with me due to our mutual employment, and care for a family with whom I do not share blood. Such is the life of a domestic servant, and I am grateful for it.

While it is a good life, it is not one of affection or care. I do not have anyone to feel familial attachment toward, nor does anyone here feel toward me more than the fondness of familiarity. You may think I am foolish to write such desires, but I wish to have a home, not just a household. A place where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It is an intangible quality I fail to define, for I must confess if I have experienced it, it was many years ago when I was a small child. Yet, I continually pray that the Lord may bless me with such a life.