folded up to fit an improvised envelope
about the size of a Mardi Gras souvenir, then being distributed about
the city. With the joyousness of a boy about to play a prank, he chased
down-stairs at the noon hour when he knew Miss Jeffries was at lunch
with Mr. Barrett in the cafe of the Grunewald. Calling a waiter, he
sent the huge envelope in to her table. She glanced at it a moment and
then gradually drew the package from its envelope, while Field and I
stood watching behind the entrance. It spread all over the table as she
continued to unfold the enormous sheet, and its rustle attracted the
attention of nearly every one in the room. When it had spread itself
all over Mr. Barrett, who meanwhile was laughing heartily, Miss
Jeffries discovered the poem in Field's hand, and, although blushing
crimson, joined in the laughter, for she knew he was somewhere about
enjoying her discomfort."

By August of this same year he had his "Love Songs of Childhood" in
shape for the publishers, and had once more taken up the project of
acquiring a home. What Field was doing, as well as thinking about, a
little later is pretty accurately reflected in the following letter to
Mr. Gray:

DEAR MR. GRAY: Ever since your return from the East I have been
intending to write to you. I have time and again reproached myself
for my neglect to do so. I have not been very well. About the first
of September I had one of my old dyspeptic attacks, and since then
my stomach has troubled me more or less, reducing me in weight and
making me despondent. I think, however, I am now on the upgrade once
more. After you left here Julia was quite sick for a spell. She was
on the verge of nervous prostration. I packed her off to Lynch's for
a month, and she came back very much improved, and now she weighs
more than ever before. The children are well. Trotty attends a day
school near by. Pinny has gone back to his military school, and is
doing _very well_. I would like to send Daisy to the same school,
for he is not doing well at public school; but my expenses have been
so large the last year that I cannot incur any further expense. The
babies are doing finely. The boy is as fat as butter, and handsome
as ever. Little Ruth cut her first tooth to-day. I never loved a
baby as I love her. She is very well now; her flesh has become solid
and she is gaining in weight. She is playful and good-natured, sure
prognostics of good health