SELWICK HALL, APRIL YE III. I could write no more last night. It was better to cast one's self on the sand (as _Ned_ saith men do in the great Desert of _Araby_) and leave the tempest sweep o'er one's head. I come back now to the life of every day--that quiet humdrum life (as _Milly_ hath it) which is so displeasant to young eager natures, and matcheth so well with them that be growing old and come to feel the need of rest. And after all said, Mistress _Milisent_, a man should live a sorry life and a troublous, if it had in it no humdrum days. Human nature could not bear perpetual sorrow, and as little (in this dispensation at the least) should it stand unceasing joy. I fell a-thinking this morrow, how little folks do wit of that which lieth a-head. Now, if I were to prophesy (that am no prophet, neither a prophet's daughter) what should befall these young things my cousins twenty years hereafter, then would I say that it should find _Ned_ captain of some goodly vessel, and husband of _Faith Murthwaite_ (and may he have no worser fate befall him!)--and _Wat_, a country gentleman (but I trust not wed to _Gillian Armstrong)_: and _Nell_, a comely maiden ministering lovingly unto her father and mother: and _Milisent_ dwelling at _Mere Lea_ with _Robin Lewthwaite_: and _Edith_--nay, I will leave the fashioning of her way to the Lord, for I see not whither it lieth. And very like (an' it be His will I live thus long) when the time cometh, I shall see may-be not so much as one that hath fulfilled the purpose I did chalk out for them. Ay, but the Lord's chalking shall be a deal better than _Joyce Morrell's_. I reckon my lines should be all awry. For how little hath happed that ever I looked for aforetime! _Dulcie Fenton_, that wont to look as though it should be a sin in her to laugh, had she beheld aught to laugh at, hath blossomed out into an happy, comfortable matron, with two fair daughters, and an husband that (for a man) is rare good unto her: and _Lettice Eden_--come, _Anstace_ is to read this, so will I leave _Lettice_ to conceive for herself what should have followed. Both she and _Aubrey_ shall read well enough betwixt the lines. And _Joyce Morrell_, that thought once to be--what she is not-- is an humdrum old maid, I trust a bit useful as to cooking and stitchery and the like, and on whom God hath put a mighty charge of His gold and goods to minister for Him,--but nought nearer than cousins to give her love, though that do they most rarely, and God bless their hearts therefor. My best treasures be in the good Land--all save one, that the Good Shepherd is yet looking for over the wild hills: nor hath my life been an unhappy one, but for that one blank which is there day and night, and shall be till the Good Shepherd call me by my name to come and rejoice with Him over the finding of His sheep that is lost. O Lord, make no long tarrying! Yea, make no tarrying, O my God!