the way, her nephew is to come on leave, and pass two months with her; and
she says she hopes you will be here at the same time, to keep him company;
but I have a notion that another playfellow may prove a dangerous rival to
the Hungarian hussar; perhaps, however, you would hand over Joe Atlee to
him.

'Be sure you bring us some new books, and some music, when you come, or
send them, if you don't come soon. I am terrified lest Nina should think
the place dreary, and I don't know how she is to live here if she does not
take to the vulgar drudgeries that fill my own life. When she abruptly
asked me, "What do you do here?" I was sorely puzzled to know what to
answer, and then she added quickly: "For my own part, it's no great matter,
for I can always dream. I'm a great dreamer!" Is it not lucky for her,
Dick? She'll have ample time for it here.

'I suppose I never wrote so long a letter as this in my life; indeed I
never had a subject that had such a fascination for myself. Do you know,
Dick, that though I promised to let her sleep on till nigh dinner-time, I
find myself every now and then creeping up gently to her door, and only
bethink me of my pledge when my hand is on the lock; and sometimes I even
doubt if she is here at all, and I am half crazy at fearing it may be all a
dream.

'One word for yourself, and I have done. Why have you not told us of the
examination? It was to have been on the 10th, and we are now at the 18th.
Have you got--whatever it was? the prize, or the medal, or--the reward, in
short, we were so anxiously hoping for? It would be such cheery tidings
for poor papa, who is very low and depressed of late, and I see him always
reading with such attention any notice of the college he can find in the
newspaper. My dear, dear brother, how you would work hard if you only knew