remind me of her! not in your lot but in your ways, and she had your
black hair. She was a stranger to these parts. Where your
grandfather first saw her I do not know, but she was from the hill
country in the far south-west. She never would hear anything
against our flats. When folk asked her if she did not miss the
hills, she turned on them as if she had been born in the Fens and
said she had found something in them better than hills. But how I
do wander on! That has nothing to do with you now, although I could
tell you, if it were worth while, how it came into my head. I shall
look out for you this week.


LOMBARD STREET, 14th March 1839.

Dear Esther,--You have now been away three weeks and I shall be glad
to hear when you intend to return. Your mother I hope is better,
and if she is not, I trust you will see that your absence cannot be
indefinitely prolonged. I am writing at the Bank, and your reply
marked 'Private' should be addressed here. Some changes, now almost
completed, are being made in the lower rooms at Homerton which will
give me one for any business of my own.--Your affectionate husband,

CHARLES CRAGGS.


BLACKDEEP, 17th March 1839.

Dear Charles,--My mother is not well, and I shall be grateful to you
if you will give me another week. I am sorry you have made
alterations in the house without saying anything to me. It will be