sight of land, and as it is a warm
day and we are comfortable, we hope you are. But it is dreadful to have
to wait so long before hearing.

_23d._--Papa says this must be mailed by nine o'clock; so I have hurried
up from breakfast to finish it. Mr. and Mrs. S. spent most of last
evening with us. They shouted over my ferrotypes. Mr.---- also called
and expressed as much surprise at your having gone to Europe as if the
sky had fallen. I read my sea-journal to the children last evening, and
though it is very flat and meagre in itself, H., to whom it was all
brand new, thought it ought to be published forthwith. No time for
another word but love to all the S.'s, big and little, high and low,
great and small. Your affectionate Mammy.

_Oct. 28th._--I can hardly believe that it is only a week today that we
saw you and your big steamer disappear from view. H. said last night
that it seemed to him one hundred years ago, and we all said amen. So
how do you suppose it will seem ten months hence? I hope you do not find
the time so long. I take turns waiting upon the children to school,
which they are very strict about, and they enjoy their teachers
amazingly.

I received this morning a very beautiful and touching letter from a
young lady in England about the Susy books. They are associated in her
mind and those of her family with a "Little Pearlie" whose cunning
little photograph she enclosed, who taught herself to read in a
fortnight from one of them, and was read to from it on her dying bed,
and after she became speechless she made signs to have her head wet
as Susy's was. I never received such a letter among all I have had.
Randolph sent me twelve copies of Stepping Heavenward, and I have had
my hands full packing and sending them. M. is reading aloud to H. a
charming story called "Alone in London." I am sure I could not read it
aloud without crying.

The following is the letter from England:

To THE AUTHOR OF "LITTLE SUSY":

I feel as if I had a perfect right to call you "My dear friend," so much
have I thought of you this last year and a half. Bear with me while I
tell you why. A year ago last Christmas we were a large family--father,
mother, and eight children, of whom I, who address you, am the eldest.
The youngest was of course the pet, our bright little darling, rather
more than five. That Christmas morning, of course, there were gifts for
all; and among the treasures in the smallest stocking was a copy of
"Littl