But today there was no memory for the misery of the past, only joy that the scourge was abating.

It is not that many do not still fall ill of the distemper, but that they recover now, where once they would have died.

And whereas three weeks back they died in a day or two days, now even if so be as they do die, it takes the poison eight or ten days to kill them.

The physicians say that that is because the malignity of the distemper is abating, wherefore men scarce fear it now, and come freely abroad, not in despair, as they did when it was so virulent a scourge, but because they fear it so much less than before." "And our parents and those at home ?" asked Reuben eagerly.
"All well, though something weary and worn; but it is wondrous how they have borne up all through.

Father says that he will come hither to see us all the first moment he can.