early January 1884

Dear friend -

I have been very ill since early October, and unable to thank you for the sacred kindness, but treasured it each Day and hasten with my first steps, and my fullest gratitude. Returning from the dying Child, waiting till he left us, I found it on my Desk, and it seemed an appropriate Message - I never can thank you as I feel -

That would be impossible.

The effort ends in tears.

You seem by some deep Accident, to be the only tie between the Heaven that evanesced, and the Heaven that stays.

I hope the winged Days that bear you to your Brother, are not too destitute of Song, and wish that we might speak with you of him and of yourself, and of the third Member of that sundered Trio. Perhaps another spring would call you to Northampton, and Memory might invite you here.

My Sister asks a warm remembrance, and trusts that you are well.

With a deep New Year.

Your friend,

E. Dickinson.