"Nevertheless answer me speedily, for I am in earnest,
although I am in jest.

"I intend to see you at all events soon.

"Love to the little ones and to dear ma and pa from

"Rufus."


"What does father say, mother?" was all Winthrop's commentary
on this epistle. She gave him the other letter, and he yielded
his brother's again to her stretched-out hand.


"Vantassel, March 22, 1809.

"My dear Orphah,

"I am really coming home! I never knew any months so long, it
seems to me, as these three. The business will be finished I
believe next week, and the Session will rise, and the first
use I shall make of my recovered freedom will be -- can you
doubt it? -- to hasten home to my family. My dear family -- they
are closer to me all the time than you think, and for some
weeks past it seems to me they have had half of every thought.
But I will be with you now, Providence willing, by the middle
of the week, I hope, or as soon after as I can.

"The last fortnight has been spent in talking -- we have had a