sympathy with Swift, said that he knew of "nothing more manly, more tender,
more exquisitely touching, than some of these notes." Swift says that when he
wrote plainly, he felt as if they were no longer alone, but "a bad scrawl is
so snug it looks like a PMD." In writing his fond and playful prattle, he
made up his mouth "just as if he were speaking it."[14]

Though Mrs. Dingley is constantly associated with Stella in the affectionate
greetings in the Journal, she seems to have been included merely as a cloak to
enable him to express the more freely his affection for her companion. Such
phrases as "saucy girls," "sirrahs," "sauceboxes," and the like, are often
applied to both; and sometimes Swift certainly writes as if the one were as
dear to him as the other; thus we find, "Farewell, my dearest lives and
delights, I love you better than ever, if possible, as hope saved, I do, and
ever will. . . . I can count upon nothing, nor will, but upon MD's love and
kindness. . . . And so farewell, dearest MD, Stella, Dingley, Presto, all
together, now and for ever, all together." But as a rule, notwithstanding
Swift's caution, the greetings intended for Stella alone are easily
distinguishable in tone. He often refers to her weak eyes and delicate
health. Thus he writes, "The chocolate is a present, madam, for Stella.
Don't read this, you little rogue, with your little eyes; but give it to
Dingley, pray now; and I will write as plain as the skies." And again, "God
Almighty bless poor Stella, and her eyes and head: what shall we do to cure
them, poor dear life?" Or, "Now to Stella's little postscript; and I am
almost crazed that you vex yourself for not writing. Can't you dictate to
Dingley, and not strain your dear little eyes? I am sure 'tis the grief of my
soul to think you are out of order." They had been keeping his birthday;
Swift wished he had been with them, rather than in London, where he had no
manner of pleasure: "I say Amen with all my heart and vitals, that we may
never be asunder again ten days together while poor Presto lives." A few days
later he says, "I wish I were at Laracor, with dear charming MD," and again,