ed all over Europe, and is therefore no doubt
precious to her who thus made it her friend. Now how shall I get it to
her? Can you learn her address, or shall I write to her at a venture,
without one? I know how I felt--when I once lost mine; it was given me
in 1835, and has gone with me ever since whenever I have journeyed (as I
was so happy as to find it again). [3] I think if I have the pleasure of
restoring it to its owner, she will feel glad that it did not fall into
profane hands. I thought it right to look through it, in order to get
some clue, if possible, to its destination; I fancy it was the silent
comforter of a wife who went abroad with her husband for his health,
and came home a widow; God bless her, whoever she is, for she evidently
believes in and loves Him. What sort of a world can it be to those who
don't? [4] Remember me affectionately to yourself and your dear ones,
and now we've got a-going, let's go ahead.

_April 1st._--What a pity it is that one can't have a separate language
with which to address each beloved one! It seems so mean to use the same
words to two or three or four people one loves so differently! Now about
my visit to you. One reason why I did not stay longer was your looking
worn out. When I am feeling so dragged, visitors are a great wear and
tear to me. But I am afraid my selfishness would have got the upperhand
of me if that were the whole story. I can't put into words the perfect
horror I have of being made into a somebody; it fairly hurts me, and if
I had stayed a week with you and the host of people you had about you,
I should have shriveled up into the size of a pea. I can't deny having
streaks of conceit, but I _know_ enough about myself to make my rational
moments bid me keep in the background, and it excruciates me to be set
up on a pinnacle. So don't blame me if I fled in terror, and that I am
looking forward to your visit, when I hope to have delightful pow-wows
with you all by ourselves.

I am glad that little book can be returned, and I will mail it to you.
I _couldn't_ send it without a loving word; it seemed to fall so
providentially into my hands and knock so at the door of my heart. In
what strange ways people get introduced to each other, and how subtle
are the influences that excite a bond of sympathy!... What do you do
with girls who fall madly and desperately in love with you? Do you laugh
at them, or scold them, or love them, or what? I used to do just such
cr