On July 24, 1839 she first wrote her own name legibly.[16] On June 20, 1840 she had her first arithmetic lesson, with the aid of a metallic case perforated with square holes, square types being used; and in nineteen days she could add a column of figures amounting to thirty. She was in good health and happy, and was treated by Howe as his daughter. She lived in the director's apartment with Howe and his sister, Jeannette Howe, until Howe married Julia Ward in 1843.[17] Her case already began to interest the public, and others were brought to Dr. Howe for treatment.