[17 June 1907] Karadagh [Kara Dag] June 17 Dearest Mother. One line to thank you for your letter of the 9th. Of course you can't write to me much - don't try. I know you still love me, though busy. You busy, I mean. I'm busy too in a modest way. We've been working all day at the Hittite inscription on the top of the hill and have got too a valuable little inscription on the church, Christian of course. Also I found a roofed passage between the church and the monastery which somehow throws a queerly human ray of light on the poor monks up there, snowed up for 4 months of the year and creeping to their prayers along the narrow stone passage. We are beginning to get dates a little clearer. We have gone back several centuries by reason of evidence up here at Daile and I think it fits the facts better - besides being more satisfactory to us! It's deeply deeply interesting; I can't tell you how much I think it's been all worth doing. And do you know I believe this is the very first time anyone has set about to explore thoroughly a single district in central Asia Minor. See what we have got out of it! Two great Hittite sites and a vast amount of unexpected Byzantine remains. We spend much time discussing our book which is to be a great work, please God! Oh it's delightful, delightful! I only do so hope you think I was right to stay out here. I could scarcely bear it if you didn't and at a breath from you I would come back by the next train. I hate being away, you understand, but I am deeply absorbed by this work and it grows more and more exciting as one gets further into it. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude