MANUSCRIPT: HCL (H 56). Pencil.

PUBLICATION: LH 137-138.

Dr. Holland had given his wife a pair of diamond earrings for Christmas. The Amherst Record for 29 December reports the disappearance of Jerry Scanlan (Scannell), aged fourteen. A few days later he turned up in Springfield. The new year opened with a few days of intense cold. There had been a partial eclipse of the sun on 31 December.

The "lowly Spirit" alludes to Matthew 11.29.