Monday, Feb 1, 1886 Sara and I came down by the 11.55 train. Mrs. Osterhondt her mother and sister were on the train. Mr. Manus Schummaker also and he seemed to me to look very poor and shabbily dressed. I wonder if he is poor? At Newburgh Joe Tompkins got on the train and came into the car in which we were and seated himself just behind us on the opposite side. Sade saw him but I would not look, and utterly ignored his presence. He "hem'd & hawd" I think to attract our attention but it was of no use. At Haverstraw Mrs. J. T. got in, and took her seat beside him. I did not see her but Sara recognised her voice. They had been to Mr. Tomkins to celebrate his 93rd birth day which occurred yesterday and from what I overheard her say they had taken a final leave. I knew he would not stay there long and I doubt if he knows just where he is going or what he is going to do. I think he worries us all who used to stand around and humor his indecisions. I am glad I did not see them and was not obliged to recognise them. I arrive at my studio and find not a single word from the Detroit people. Really I am getting tired of their procrastination. Calvert showed me a letter which he had received this evening, a copy of one he had just received from Joe, informing him that he and "Aunt Maria" were going up to his fathers and that they would be back at the Brevoort House some time on Monday and would remain there a dew days and hoped he would come some day and dine with them. Downing was polite but noncommittal but I do not think he will go if he can help it. How petty for him to be nagging at us in this way keeping poor Downing on the rack, and all for the purpose of forcing himself on our attention. He certainly must have seen today how utterly abhorrent he is to us. Sara I hope is not to be annoyed and have her visit spoiled by coming upon him unexpectedly. Mrs. Merwin and a Mrs Force called. Mrs. Merwin is a relative of Dr. Peltons wife whom I met at her funeral last spring. As we were waiting at the station at Kingston Girard handed me a letter from Antoinette Sterling and a beautiful photograph of her and her little girl like the one I saw at Janettes and admired greatly. Sara and I had a hard time deciphering her very cordial letter coming down.
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