01-022 [Family]
1881.12.28, Manila
From: Leonor Rivera
To: Jose Rizal
She chides Rizal for not writing her.
Manila, 28 December 1881
ESTEEMED JOSE,
I would be glad if on the receipt of this you are in good health and happy.
I was very much surprised that you had a letter for Papa and none for me; but at first, when they told me about it, I did not believe it, because I did not expect that a person like you would do such a thing. But later I was convinced that you are like a newly opened rose, very flushed and fragrant at the beginning, but afterwards it begins to wither. Before, however, when I did not write you, you wrote me, but now no more. It seems that you have imitated my example when I went to Antipolo[1]and you have done wrong because I was not at my own house, and besides you know very well that you cannot hide anything from those girls. I could very well write to Papa, but in order that you might not say anything, I did not, though Mama had ordered me to do so. You cannot have these pretexts because you are at your home and nobody meddles with you. Truly I tell you that I am very resentful for what you have done and for another thing that I will tell you later when you come.
Excuse the writing and all the mistakes you find in it.[2]Command at your pleasure your true servant who kisses your hand,
TAIMIS
[1] A town, now in Rizal Province, famous for its miraculous Virgin of Peace and Good Voyage and a popular summer resort.
[2] This is just a girlish letter. Leonor was then only 14 years old.