[180] The words in inverted commas were quotations from Miss Nightingale's letters. These had been shown to a friend, who thereupon wrote the lines, above quoted, and sent them to her. CHAPTER X THE POPULAR HEROINE Miss Nightingale looks to her reward from this country in having a fresh field for her labours, and means of extending the good that she has already begun. A compliment cannot be paid dearer to her heart than in giving her work to do.--SIDNEY HERBERT. The news of Miss Nightingale's illness spread sympathetic anxiety throughout Great Britain. Even more than when her mission of mercy was first announced, she became the popular heroine; and more than ever men and women of all classes sought means of showing their sympathy. Lady Verney, whose depth of feeling is not concealed by the play of humour which sparkles pleasantly upon the surface, described, successively, the penalties and the pleasures of being the sister of a heroine:-- (_Miss F. P. Nightingale to Miss Ellen Tollet._) EMBLEY, _Friday_ [_Summer of 1855_]. I am quite _done_ with writing, a second blast of linen and knitted socks was nearly the death of me, and 'hints,' my dear!--oh, my horror of being asked for hints,--such as "can newspapers be put into the post free?" and such like _niaiseries_. How grateful I am to you for never once having inquired whether socks or muffetees are most required, and whether you are safe in sending 6 towels and an old tablecloth to London, or whether they had better come to us. It sounds very ungrateful, I am afraid, but when one's wrist aches over the two hundredth repetition of the matter, I do wish the public would apply to the nearest post office, or read that scarce and erudite work the _Times_, and use their sense not their pens.