“If I told you of the estimate in which I hold the purpose to which you are devoting your life, you would suspect me of flattery, so I abstain; but, barring all that, your friends in England are in great need of you, and I think it is very horrid that you should leave them all, to whom you would be of infinite service, on God knows what outlandish errand. They all grudge you to Boston entirely, so pray be quick and come back.” Dr. Sewall, on the other hand, had become not a little dependent on her competent helper, and, although this friendship too was not without the “cataracts and breaks” to which S. J.-B. so often refers in her diary, there is no doubt that the older and gentler woman found it not only a pleasure but a great asset. “How I wish I had you here: I do so want your _strength_! So few people are strong,” is a sentiment that recurs in her letters many times from now to the end of her life. So in June 1866, S. J.-B. returned to England to see her parents, and to talk over the whole question of her future career with them and with other friends. “Most people are much more in favour of Medicine than I expected,” she writes, “except Miss Garrett, who thinks me not specially suited, and E. S. M., who thinks it indecent of unmarried women knowing all about these things.” “July 8th. Sunday. ‘Taller,’ say Laurence, Mother and self. ‘More firmly knit,’ say do. ‘Muscles like iron, as if rowing all morning and prize-fighting all afternoon,’ says Nigger. Well done America and L. E. S.!—bless her.” Almost at the same moment Dr. Sewall was writing: “I really feel quite well satisfied with the increase in my practice, and if it continues to increase for the next two years as well, we shall be able to take a fine house and live in style. I cannot tell you how much pleasure I get out of anticipating our house-keeping. When I am too tired to do anything, I lay on the sofa and plan and plan and think what a good time we are going to have, and am as happy as a cricket.” So America won the day, though not without many questionings. “August 12th. Sunday. On Sunday last at Mrs. Hyde’s suggestion wrote to Macmillan. On Tuesday heard from him, and had a ‘book—not too short’ warmly accepted by him, at ‘no risks and half profits.’ So we gradually come to our wishes when we have ceased to look for them. I accept it almost as I did the preaching,—because I _had_ so longed for it. This day three weeks on the Atlantic,—5 weeks, home to L. E. S., I trust. Study Medicine? ... or push on in literary career now opening apparently? How about conflicting interests and powers hereafter? If my book— _inter alia_—brings me to notice of Commission,[41] etc.,—cry off from my chance because too busy as a doctor? Ah, well,—long way off yet! Do the work ‘lies nearest thee’ and leave the rest!” Footnote 41: The Schools Inquiry Commission, presumably.