t frame
around it; on the table is the illustrated 'Pilgrim's Progress'
papa gave me, and a volume of 'Calmet's Dictionary' I have
taken out of the study--it is full of _such beautiful
pictures_,--and 'Mrs. Hannah More' in full gilt. The big Bible
you gave us, the goodman says, is too large for easy handling;
so it is kept on a stand in the corner, with the great
fly-brush of peacock's feathers hanging over it. I have put
charming blue chintz curtains in the spare chamber, and
arranged everything there very nicely; so that, _before a
certain event_, you must be sure to come and take possession.

"Last night we took tea again with the Elderkins, and Mrs.
Elderkin was as kind to me as ever, and Miss Meacham is an
excellent woman, and the little ones are loves of children; and
I wish you could see them. But you will, you know, _quite
soon_. Sometimes I fall to crying, when I think of it all; and
then the goodman comes and puts his hand on my head, and
says,--'Rachel! Rachel, my dear! is this your gratitude for all
God's mercies?' And then I jump up, and kiss his grave face,
and laugh through my tears. He is a dear good man. This is all
very foolish, I suppose; but, mamma, isn't it the way with all
women?

"Dame Tourtelot is a great storm of a creature, and she comes
down upon us every now and then, and advises me about the
housekeeping and the table, and the servants, and
Benjamin,--giving me a great many good hints, I suppose; but in
such a way, and calling me 'my child,' as makes me feel good
for nothing, and as if I were not fit to be mistress. Miss
Almira is a quiet thing, and has a piano. She dresses _very
queerly_, and, I have been told, written poetry for the
'Hartford Courant,' _over two stars_--* *. She seems a good
creature, though, and comes to see us often. The chaise is a
_great_ comfort, and our old horse Dobbins is a good, sober
horse. Benjamin often takes me with him in his drives to see
the parishioners who live out of town. He tells me about the
trees and the flowers, and a thousand matters I never heard of.
Indeed, he is a good man, and he knows a _world_ of things."

The tender-hearted, kind soul makes her way into the best graces of the
people of Ashfield: the older ones charmed with that blithe spirit of
hers, and all t