Dr. Sandford takes care of everything that mamma cannot
manage. I know why he does it; and I am sorry. He is like a
good brother to me, and I am very fond of him; he is coming
and going in our house continually; he furthers my plans, and
ministers to all my pleasure, and looks after my well-being,
somewhat as he did when I was ten years old; only with much
more of freedom and acknowledged affection and authority. I
think he fancies that time will befriend him and bring me to
look upon him in a light more kindly for his wishes. He is
mistaken. People may love truly and love again, I suppose; I
have no doubt men may; but I think not women. Not true women,
when they have once thoroughly given their hearts. I do not
think they can take them back to give again. And mine is Mr.
Thorold's.
My writing all this has been a great comfort to me and done me
good. Have I accomplished what I said at the beginning I would
try to do, - follow out the present truth of my life to the
possible glory? Surely I have found it. Through sorrow and
joy, through gain and loss, yes, and I suppose by means of
these, I have come to know that all joy, even fulness of joy,
is summed up in being wholly the Lord's child. To do His will,
and to be filled with the happiness that He can give and He
alone, that is enough for anybody. It is enough for me.