1883-02-14 to Mary Blake Moore

Autograph letter signed, National LIbrary of Ireland, 311 words

[Edited for paragraph breaks, capitalization, spelling and punctuation.]

3 Danes Inn, Wych St, Strand

[Wednesday, 14 February 1883]

My dear Mama

Thanks a thousand times for the blankets. They are splendid. I found a conclave of house maids assembled in my room for the purpose of admiring them. The oldest said she was sure they came from my mother. I asked her why and she answered "am I not a mother myself sir and do you think that I don't know a mothers present when I see it?” And that is just the point I want to get at. You bought those blankets and put yourself to a lot of expense. Now I am so sorry for this; all I wanted was some from Moore Hall where there are dozens, I believe, lying idle. Enfin a mother's a mother and there’s no use in quarrelling with her for that — so again many thanks.

You did not allude to my last letter — I hope it did not offend you. What I meant was not unkind but it is so difficult, and no one knows better than a writer, how difficult it is to give such verbal expression to vague doubt and shifting uncertainty as will establish an exact understanding between reader and writer. Somehow the impression conveyed is always more clear, not to say brutal than is intended.

My dear mother, I did not mean to hurt your feelings. I only tried to speak what was uppermost in my mind. Pray, write me a line on this subject and assure me that you are not offended.

It would be so nice to live together again. You must be lonely, I know I am and after all one only really cares for one's own.

Ever affect yours

George Moore