t twenty minutes of eight. After breakfast
heard H.'s lessons, then read the 20th chapter of Matthew; and mused
long on Christ's coming to minister--not to be ministered unto. Prayed
for poor Mrs. Smith and a good many weary souls, and felt a little bit
better. Then went down to Randolph's at the request of a lady, who
wanted him to sell some books she had got up for a benevolent object. He
said he'd take twelve. Then to the Smiths, burdened with my sad secret.
Got home tired and depressed. Tried to get to sleep and couldn't, tried
to read and couldn't.

At last they came with the sick girl, and one look at the poor, half-
fainting child, and her mother's "Nobody in the world but you would have
let us come," made them welcome; and I have rejoiced ever since that
_God let_ them come. One of the first things they said took my worst
burden off my back; the whole story about Prof. Smith was a dream! Can
you conceive my relief? We had dinner. Eva ate more than she had done
for a long time. We had a long talk with her mother after dinner; then I
went up to the sick-room and stayed an hour or so; then had a call; then
ran out to carry a book to a widowed lady, that I hoped would comfort
her; then home, and with Eva till tea-time. Then had some comfort in
laying all these cares and interests in those loving Arms that are
always so ready to take them in. I enjoy praying in the morning best,
however--perhaps because less tired; but sometimes I think it is owing
to a sort of night-preparation for it; I mean, in the wakeful times of
night and early morning.

_Wednesday, 17th_--While I was writing the above all the Brooklyn
Prentisses went to bed, and we New York Prentisses went to the Sunday-
school rooms next door to a church-gathering. There are three rooms that
can be thrown together, and they were bright and fragrant with flowers,
most of which the young men sent me afterwards, exquisite things. I had
a precious talk with Dr. Abbot, one of whose feet, to say the least, is
already on the topmost round. I only wish he was a woman. The church was
open, and we all went in and listened to some fine music. Coming out
I said to a gentleman who approached me, "How is little baby?" "Which
little baby?" "Why, the youngest." "Oh, we haven't any baby." And lo! I
had mistaken my man! Imagine how _he_ felt and how _I_ felt! We got home
at eleven P.M., and so ended my day of rest. I have 540 things to say,
but there is so much going on that