Page 203 - The Story of My Lif

many other distinguished persons. We had looked forward to seeing you there,

and so we were greatly disappointed that you did not come.

We think of you so, so often! and our hearts go out to you in tenderest sympathy;
and you know better than this poor letter can tell you how happy we always are

to have you with us! I made a “speech” on July eighth, telling the members of
the Association what an unspeakable blessing speech has been to me, and urging
them to give every little deaf child an opportunity to learn to speak. Every one
said I spoke very well and intelligibly. After my little “speech,” we attended a
reception at which over six hundred people were present. I must confess I do not
like such large receptions; the people crowd so, and we have to do so much
talking; and yet it is at receptions like the one in Philadelphia that we often meet
friends whom we learn to love afterwards. We left the city last Thursday night,
and arrived in Brewster Friday afternoon. We missed the Cape Cod train Friday
morning, and so we came down to Provincetown in the steamer Longfellow. I
am glad we did so; for it was lovely and cool on the water, and Boston Harbor is
always interesting.

We spent about three weeks in Boston, after leaving New York, and I need not
tell you we had a most delightful time. We visited our good friends, Mr. and Mrs.
Chamberlin, at Wrentham, out in the country, where they have a lovely home.
Their house stands near a charming lake where we went boating and canoeing,
which was great fun. We also went in bathing several times. Mr. and Mrs.

Chamberlin celebrated the 17th of June by giving a picnic to their literary
friends. There were about forty persons present, all of whom were writers and
publishers. Our friend, Mr. Alden, the editor of Harper’s was there, and of course
we enjoyed his society very much….

TO CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER

Brewster, Mass., September 3, 1896.

…I have been meaning to write to you all summer; there were many things I
wanted to tell you, and I thought perhaps you would like to hear about our
vacation by the seaside, and our plans for next year; but the happy, idle days