. After the service the mission children
went up to look at the remains, and passed out; then the rest of the
congregation. One of the mission children fainted and fell, and was
carried out in Mr. L.'s arms. After the rest dispersed papa took me in,
and there we saw a most touching sight; a dozen poor women and children
weeping about the coffin, offering a tribute to her memory, sweeter than
the opulent display of flowers did. _Evening._--The interment took place
to-day, at Woodlawn. Mr. C. wished me to go, and I did. On the way home
a gentlemanly-looking man stepped up to your father, and taking his hand
said, "I never saw you till to-day, but I _love_ you; yes, there is no
other word!" Wasn't it nice of him?

_Dec. 24th._--Papa went in last evening, for a half hour, to see ----
and his bride, at their great reception, drank two glasses of "coffee
sangaree," and brought me news that overcame me quite,--namely, that
---- was delighted with my book. Nesbit & Co. sent me a copy of their
reprint of it. They have got it up beautifully with six colored
illustrations, most of them very good; little Earnest is as cunning as
he can be, and the old grandpa is perfect. Katy, however, has her hair
in a waterfall in the year 1835 and even after, wears long dresses, and
always has on a _sontag_ or something like one. She goes to see Dr.
Cabot in a red sacque, and a red hat, and has a muff in her lap. Mrs.
---- was here the other day to say that I had drawn her husband's
portrait _exactly_ in Dr. Elliot. I have been out with M. all the
morning, doing up our last shopping. We came home half frozen, and had
lunch together, when lo, a magnificent basket of flowers from Mrs. D.
and some candy from the party; papa and G. came home and we all fell to
making ourselves sick.... I have bought lots of candy and little fancy
cakes to put in the children's stockings. I know it is very improper,
but one can't be good always. Dr. P. is sick with pneumonia. Mrs. P.
has just sent me a basket of fresh eggs, and an illustrated edition of
Longfellow's "Building of the Ship."

_25th._--I wish you a Merry Christmas, darling, and wonder what you
are all doing to celebrate this day. We have had great times over our
presents.... I got a note from Mr. Abbot saying that a friend of his in
Boston had given away fourteen Katies, all he could get, and that the
bookseller said he could have sold the last copy thirty times over.
Neither papa nor I feel quite up t