Summer passed quietly and happily for the Hartnell family, awaiting an addition to its number

+++  ’The present juncture we consider favorable for a general settlement of accounts, for we cannot look forward to any change in the present prospects of business for twelve or eighteen months to come, by which time, we should hope, that a safe and commodious trade might be carried on with your place, on new and more satisfactory arrangements for all parties.’  ++  Actually, the proposal pleased Hartnell.  With the help of Fraser, the bookkeeper, he spent considerable time in drawing up all company accounts to facilitate a speedy end to the firm, not desiring to stay long in South America.  He took on his private account all unsold goods remaining from recent consignments, including those still on the ‘Aurora.’  He had discussed each step with his father-in-law and been assured by Don Jose of a substantial interest and outlay of cash upon commencing operations on his own.  The new outlook was not unpromising.  ++  The summer passed quietly and happily for the Hartnell family, awaiting an addition to its number.  Every act of Guillermito, “alias the Consul,” from first tooth to first step, was described to doting grandparents down in Santa Barbara.  Apparently his early lack of energy passed away, and the father wrote, not once but many times, such fatuous phrases as “each day he becomes more mischievous and more charming!”  On occasions when Don Guillermo must tear himself away, for business reasons, David Spence kept him informed of such momentous events as “Master Willie is sipping tea with a spoon.”  And when the child was only thirteen months old, the father boasted to the grandfather, “El Consul is speaking English in a wonderful way!”  In a rare benign mood, Mr. Begg wrote up from Lima that he “hoped to have something to do in the forming him for an enlightened citizen of California.”  ++  Perhaps it was the sense of such happiness as Hartnell enjoyed in his home that prompted Dr. Wyllie to write an affectionate note from Rosario in Mexico, on August 17, begging his “old cronie” not to neglect their correspondence, their sole means of communication for the present.  It seems, says he, that “the edifying society of so many Holy Franciscans and the contentedness of mind resulting from the perfect happiness you enjoy within the circle of your Family never allows you a moment to think of an old acquaintance and Physician of yours.”  … +++