Although I shall
see you almost as
soon as you receive
this note, perhaps
even before. I cannot
wait longer without
giving some expression
of my profound sympathy
for you and Mr Dickinson
in your great afflicting
grief. I doubt if there
can be any greater human
suffering than you
are now so suddenly
called upon to bear in
the loss of your little boy,

I have thought today, while
nature has been so serenely
beautiful; how poor and
thin all this beauty must
be to you mourning for
your child. Alas, alas!
that life must still go
on, that we too cannot
cease to be when the hand
of death touches one so
precious. If pray that
neither of you may break
down under this great
sorrow that the nobleness
and strength that is in
you may carry you
safely through. The

October 7th /83

ADDRESSED TO:
Mrs. W. A. Dickinson
Amherst
Mass.