September 1877

Dear friend.

We must be less than Death, to be lessened by it- for nothing is irrevocable but ourselves. I am glad you are better. I had feared to follow you, lest you would rather be lonely, which is the will of sorrow but the Papers had spoken of you with affectionate deference, and to know you were deeply remembered, might not too intrude. To be human is more than to be divine, for when Christ was divine, he was uncontented till he had been human.

I remember nothing so strong as to see you-

I hope you may come-

Thank you for telling me of your friend.

I had wanted to know-

She reminded me of Thermopylae - Did she suffer- except to leave you? That was perhaps the sum of Death - For the Hand I was never permitted to take, I enclose my own, and am tenderly

Her's -

Shall I keep the Paragraph, or is it too sacred?