early January 1883

Dear Nellie,

The Christmas Sweetness comes - sweeter for the straying, as the Bible joyously says of it's Truant, "This was lost and is found."

Thank you for the Symbol - it is belovedly beautiful, though may I deem it less than the inditing Heart?

As friends who take "the Light" at Night, look back with "Happy Dreams," and come no more till Morning, their Night a tender Fiction, "He giveth our Beloved Sleep," but does he add a Dream, and one more beggary of Love, is it sometimes of us?

Thank you.

Emily.