For my part, though I have been sorry since to have written you such a gloomy letter, the sorrow unmakes itself in hearing you speak so kindly.  Your sympathy is precious to me, I may say.  May God bless you.  Write and tell me among the ‘indifferent things’ something not indifferent, how you are yourself, I mean ... for I fear you are not well and thought you were not looking so yesterday.

Dearest friend, I remain yours,

E.B.B.

E.B.B. to R.B.

Friday Evening.
[Post-mark, August 30, 1845].

I do not hear; and come to you to ask the alms of just one line, having taken it into my head that something is the matter.  It is not so much exactingness on my part, as that you spoke of meaning to write as soon as you received a note of mine ... which went to you five minutes afterwards ... which is three days ago, or will be when you read this.  Are you not well—­or what?  Though I have tried and wished to remember having written in the last note something very or even a little offensive to you, I failed in it and go back to the worse fear.  For you could not be vexed with me for talking of what was ’your fault’ ... ‘your own fault,’ viz. in having to read sentences which, but for your commands, would have been blotted out.  You could not very well take that for serious blame! from me too, who have so much reason and provocation for blaming the archangel Gabriel.—­No—­you could not misinterpret so,—­and if you could not, and if you are not displeased with me, you must be unwell, I think.  I took for granted yesterday that you had gone out as before—­but to-night it is different—­and so I come to ask you to be kind enough to write one word for me by some post to-morrow.  Now remember ...  I am not asking for a letter—­but for a word ... or line strictly speaking.

Ever yours, dear friend,

E.B.B.

R.B. to E.B.B.

[Post-mark, August 30, 1845.]

This sweet Autumn Evening, Friday, comes all golden into the room and makes me write to you—­not think of you—­yet what shall I write?

It must be for another time ... after Monday, when I am to see you, you know, and hear if the headache be gone, since your note would not round to the perfection of kindness and comfort, and tell me so.

God bless my dearest friend.

R.B.

I am much better—­well, indeed—­thank you.

R.B. to E.B.B.

[Post-mark, August 30, 1845.]

Can you understand me so, dearest friend, after all?  Do you see me—­when I am away, or with you—­’taking offence’ at words, ’being vexed’ at words, or deeds of yours, even if I could not immediately trace them to their source of entire, pure kindness; as I have hitherto done in every smallest instance?