or there were no Friends in the community, and I scarcely
think I ever was fitted for the society of the world's people. I care much
for silent meditation and in-looking, and the joys and pleasures of the
gayer people seemed but noisome, and not of a tone with Nature's silent
sunshine and green leaves, white snows and growing things. It is, I know,
my early training that has made me fitted only to see thus. I cared now
much to stay in my room after the tasks of the day were over and think of
the friends far off. Belike I am most domestic in my desires, and that may
be the cause why my mind travelled swiftly and surely to friend Hicks's
fireside, and dwelt so long and with all gentleness close beside his
daughter. And then I began, in my being so much alone, to inconsistently
connect friend Barbara with friend Jordan. The demented woman was always
calling out for those who were much to her, but who were far from her--was
always saying that her heart wanted the love that was denied it. I bethink
me that I more fully sympathized with her than was my wont, simply because
I cared so much for friend Barbara and heard so much of longing for
affection that had been denied. Therefore, as time passed on and the
letters from friend Hicks were very few, and always ended with "My
daughter sends her duty to thee"--never one word more or less--and I
could not with becoming grace say aught of her to her father when I
replied to his letters, which were strictly of a business nature and
acknowledged the receipt of various moneys which I sent him for the
keeping,--therefore, as time passed on, friend Jordan grew upon me. I
would leave my room-door open of nights, and take a chair and seat myself
upon the threshold; and as she walked up and down, up and down, restless
and discontented, repeating disconnected scraps of Bible verses, I would
often say a word to her in answer to some heedless and terrible question
of the goodness of the Lord. Friend Afton had less care of her at such
times, for she told me friend Jordan cared very well for me because I was
so quiet and orderly. Then when the woman was tired and could walk no
more, I would offer her my chair and would talk to her--not giving her
frivolous answer for frivolous question, but saying to her what I had to
say as earnestly as though I had been moved by Spirit in meeting to give
the assurances of my own heart. It is a wonder to me at this day how calm
she often became under my mode of s