'Oh, mother! you little think that I saw you, only a few days ago, from the stile by the cottage which overlooks your house: you were walking with a lady, and my child was with me (my Editha, for I have called her after you.) You seemed, methought, even cheerful, and I was so selfish that I felt shocked to think I was so entirely forgotten by you; for I was sure that if you thought of me you could not be cheerful. But your companion left you; and then you looked so very sad, that I was wretched from the idea that you were then thinking too much of me, and I wished you to resume your cheerfulness again. '_I_ was not cheerful, and Editha by her artless prattle wounded me to the very soul.--She wished, she said, to live in that sweet house, and asked why she should not live there? _I could_ have told her why, but dared not do it; but I assured her, and do not for mercy's sake prove that assurance false! that she _should_ live there _one day_. '"But when--when?" she asked. '"When I am in my grave,"' replied I: and, poor innocent! throwing herself into my arms with playful fondness, she begged me to go to my grave directly. I feel but too sensibly that her desire will soon be accomplished. 'But must I die unblest by you? True, I am watched by the kindest of human beings! but then she is not my mother--that mother, who, with the joys of my childhood and my home, is so continually recurring to my memory. Oh! I forget all your unkindness, my mother, and remember only your affection. How I should like to feel your hand supporting my head, and see you perform the little offices which sickness requires!--And must I never, never see you more? Yes! you will come, I am sure you will: but come, come quickly, or I shall die without your blessing. 'I have had a fainting fit--but I am recovered, and can address you again.--Oh! teach my Editha to be humble, teach her to be slow to call the experience of ages contemptible prejudices; teach her no opinions that can destroy her sympathies with general society, and make her an alien to the hearts of those amongst whom she lives. 'Be above all things careful that she wanders not in the night of scepticism. But for the support of religion, what, amidst my various sorrows, what would have become of _me_?