In answer to a letter of inquiry from Miss F. Le Baron when that lady first entered on her work as Secretary of the Western Women's Unitarian Conference at Chicago, Dec. 2, 1884, Miss Ellis wrote:-- "'How much time do you give to all this work?' Doing it at home, I cannot calculate exactly, for there are many moments thrown in that I cannot well count; but this much I _can_ say. I begin about 9 A.M. Monday to collect my materials about me, and usually by dinner-time (1 P. M.) I have put away all papers, etc., and have ready my week's papers, etc., for the postman to take. Nearly every evening I write an hour or more, excepting Sunday, when I won't write business letters. This is all the work I can _calculate_; but there are many moments spent reading my letters, assorting papers, tying up books, setting down items, making purchases, etc., besides the time spent Sunday and on Wednesday at the church, over the library, etc. However, I am very systematic in everything, and accomplish more in that way.... Of course, new applicants I reply to at once; but every new applicant is then added to my Monday list. Being at an office, you have more interruptions; and then deafness has its reward, and one can pursue her work in peace many times, whereas another would be disturbed." In answer to another letter from Miss Le Baron, full of warm congratulations on her success, she writes, Dec. 11, 1884:-- "I am very much obliged for your high opinion of me. I read it to a dear friend, who always sends me to the Conference at Chicago, and she said, 'It's all true, but I hope you won't get so far above me in the next world.' I never have stopped to 'understand' what I am doing, or the 'name' I am making. To do the good comes from my heart, and I leave the results to the Good Father, and know if I merit a reward it will be given me. It is a pleasure in _this_ world, to feel I am giving satisfaction to so many in the denomination. I am a thorough Unitarian, and have read our denominational works more than anything else, which has prepared me for this very work. I am an ignoramus in literature outside of Unitarianism, only that you cannot be a Unitarian and not come, more or less, in contact with general literature.... By the way, I always read tracts, and M. J. Savage's and Chadwick's and Clarke's weekly sermons, going to and from the city [Miss Ellis was living at this time in Avondale, three miles from the city], and carry _big_ packages of papers home on Sunday. Think the conductors must know I am a missionary."