What a pity that some of our manufacturers shouldn't be able to steal the secret of dyestuffs from the stars, and astonish the feminine taste by new brilliancy in fashion.

[Footnote: See Chapter XI.] [NANTUCKET], April [1860].
MY DEAR: Your father just gave me a great fright by "tapping at my window" (I believe Poe's was a door, wasn't it ?) and holding up your note.

I was busy examining some star notices just received from Russia or Germany,--I never knew where Dorpat is .-- and just thinking that my work was as good as theirs.

I always noticed that when school-teachers took a holiday in order to visit other institutions they came home and quietly said, "No school is better or as good as mine." And then I read your note, and perceive your reading is as good as Mrs.Kemble's.

Now, being _modest_, I always felt afraid the reason I thought you such a good reader was because I didn't know any better, but if all the world is equally ignorant, it makes it all right....
I've been intensely busy.