d
water. We enjoyed the splendid view and the dinner, and then papa and
the boys went home, and M., Nep and myself proceeded to climb higher,
Nep so affectionate that he tired me out hugging me with his "arms,"
as H. calls them, and nearly eating me up, while M. was shaking with
laughter at his silly ways. We were gone from 10 A.M. to nearly 6 P.M.,
and brought home in baskets, bags, pockets and bosom, about thirty
natural brackets, some very large and fearfully heavy. One was so heavy
that I brought it home by kicking it down the mountain. I have just got
some flower seeds for fall planting, and the children are looking them
over as some would gems from the mine.

_Thursday, September 1st._--Your letter has come, and we judge that
you have quite given up Paris; what a pity to have to do it! We spent
yesterday at Hager brook with Mrs. Humphrey and her daughters; papa
drove us over in the straw wagon and came for us about 6 P.M. We had
lobster salad and marmalade, bread and butter and cake, and we roasted
potatoes and corn, and the H.'s had a pie and things of that sort. When
they saw the salad they set up such shouts of joy that papa came to see
what was the matter. We had a nice time. Today I have had proofs to
correct and letters to write, and berries to dry, but not a minute to
sit down and think, everybody needing me at once. All are busy as bees
and send lots of love. Give ever so much to the Smiths.

_September 8th._--Here we are all sitting round the parlor table. The
last three days have each brought a letter from you, and to-day one came
from Mrs. S. to me, and one from Prof. S. to papa. I have no doubt that
the decision for you to return is a wise one and hope you will fall in
with it cheerfully. Dr. Schaff is here, and yesterday papa took him
to Hager brook, and to-day to the quarries; splendid weather for both
excursions, and Dr. S. seems to have enjoyed them extremely. Last
evening he read to us some private letters of Bismarck, which were very
interesting and did him great credit in every way. I had a long call
from M. H. to-day; she looked as sweet as possible and I loaded her with
flowers. Papa is writing Mr. B. to thank him for a basket of splendid
peaches he sent us to-day. H. has just presented me with three pockets
full of toadstools. M. walked with me round Rupert square this
afternoon, and we met a crazy woman who said she wondered I did not go
into fits, and asked me why I didn't. In return I ask