4 June 1862 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I was quite taken aback when I received your letter stating that you left for Auckland. Doubtless something very pressing took you away. It made us all quite dull for a time as we fully expected you up the very day you left. Poor John was very sorry he did not see you before you left. He would have been very happy while up here but his poor wife was very poorly and I fear she will always be so while in this world. Her illness is such that she is not likely to recover. I feel very much for poor John under the circumstances. She got every attendance from both of the ladies here and appeared quite thankful for it. The poor little baby was so happy and cheerful. It is really a nice child. Douglas was so pleased, sometimes nursing it. You can hardly believe how Douglas is improved. He is quite robust and strong and very fond of work. He is often lending me a hand in the gardin or anything I am doing. He is a wonderful sharp boy for his age. His aunt Catherine has taken charge of him in the teaching line and makes him read lessons quite regular. The time he may have to spend here will improve his strength very much and make him more active and hardy for the voyage. They