Page 199 - The Story of My Lif

they had not expected us before the last of this month. I rested Saturday

afternoon, for I was very tired, and Sunday I visited with my schoolmates, and
now that I feel quite rested, I am going to write to you; for I know you will want
to hear that we reached New York safely. We had to change cars at Philadelphia;
but we did not mind it much. After we had had our breakfast, Teacher asked one
of the train-men in the station if the New York train was made up. He said no, it
would not be called for about fifteen minutes; so we sat down to wait; but in a
moment the man came back and asked Teacher if we would like to go to the train
at once. She said we would, and he took us way out on the track and put us on
board our train. Thus we avoided the rush and had a nice quiet visit before the
train started. Was that not very kind? So it always is. Some one is ever ready to
scatter little acts of kindness along our pathway, making it smooth and
pleasant…

We had a quiet but very pleasant time in Hulton. Mr. Wade is just as dear and
good as ever! He has lately had several books printed in England for me, “Old
Mortality,” “The Castle of Otranto” and “King of No-land.”…

TO MISS CAROLINE DERBY

New York, December 29, 1895.

…Teacher and I have been very gay of late. We have seen our kind friends, Mrs.
Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Hutton, Mrs. Riggs and her husband, and met many
distinguished people, among whom were Miss Ellen Terry, Sir Henry Irving and
Mr. Stockton! Weren’t we very fortunate? Miss Terry was lovely. She kissed
Teacher and said, “I do not know whether I am glad to see you or not; for I feel
so ashamed of myself when I think of how much you have done for the little
girl.” We also met Mr. and Mrs. Terry, Miss Terry’s brother and his wife. I
thought her beauty angellic, and oh, what a clear, beautiful voice she had! We
saw Miss Terry again with Sir Henry in “King Charles the First,” a week ago last
Friday, and after the play they kindly let me feel of them and get an idea of how
they looked. How noble and kingly the King was, especially in his misfortunes!
And how pretty and faithful the poor Queen was! The play seemed so real, we
almost forgot where we were, and believed we were watching the genuine scenes