bleman is here who cares for nothing but shooting,
and everybody thinks it perfectly right!

It is a great joy to me that you find so much in the "Stones of
Venice"--I hope that book is worth the time it took me to write it,
every year of youth seems to me in looking back, now so precious.

How very strange I should give you _quietness_, myself being always
disquieted in heart--a Ghost of poor Samuel--helpless--in sight of
ruining Israel.

To think of the difference between these two scenes,--Samuel at his
feast sending the prepared portion to the expected Saul.

And Samuel the Ghost--with his message.

Well--this is a cheering letter to send my poor Susie. It's all that
Italian Duke.

* * * * *

BRANTWOOD.

If ever a Gentiana Verna demeans itself to you at Brantwood--I'll
disown it and be dreadfully ashamed for it! The other little things if
they'll condescend to come shall be thanked and honored with my best.
Only please now _don't_ send me more asparagus!

I feel so piggish and rabbitish in eating you out of all your
vegetables, that I'm afraid to speak lest it should turn out grunting,
and to shake my head for fear of feeling flappy at the ears.

But--please--Is the bread as brown as it used to be? I think you're
cosseting me up altogether and I don't like the white bread so well!

* * * * *

BRANTWOOD.

What _can_ you mean about your ignorance--or my astonishment at it?
Indeed you are a naughty little Susie to think such things. I never
come to the Thwaite but you and your sister tell me all kinds of
things I didn't know, and am so glad to know.

I send a book of architect's drawings of Pisa, which I think will
interest you--only you must understand that the miserable Frenchman
who did it, could not see the expression of face in any of the old
sculptures, nor draw anything but hard mechanical outlines--and the
charm of all these buildings is this almost _natural_ grace of free
line and color.

The little tiny sketch of mine, smallest in the sheet of 4 (the other
sheet only sent to keep its face from rubbing) will show you what the
things really are like--the whole front of the dome, plate XI. (the
wretch can't even have his numbers made legibly) is of arches of this
sweet variable color.

Please can your sister or you plant a grain or grains of corn for me,