And I am vexed to have missed two days before I told you this--the first by an accident, and the second (to-day) by its being a blank post-day; but you will know by your heart how deeply I have felt and feel for you.

May God bless you and love you! If I were as He to comfort, you should be strong and calm at this moment.

But what are we to one another in this world?
How weak, how far, we all feel in moments like these.
Still, I should like to know that you had some friend near you, to hold your hand and look in your face and be silent, as those are silent who know and feel.

When you can write again, tell me how it is with you in this respect, and in others.
So sudden, so sudden! Yet bereavements like these are always sudden to the soul, more or less.

All _blows_ must needs be sudden.