_P.S._—Please order me the _Evening Post_ for two months. My
subscription is run out. The _Mutiny_ and _Edwardes_ to hand.
SARANAC, March, 1888.
MY DEAR COLVIN,—Fanny has been very unwell. She is not long
home, has been ill again since her return, but is now better
again to a degree. You must not blame her for not writing, as
she is not allowed to write at all, not even a letter. To add
to our misfortunes, Valentine is quite ill and in bed. Lloyd
and I get breakfast; I have now, 10.15, just got the dishes
washed and the kitchen all clear, and sit down to give you
as much news as I have spirit for, after such an engagement.
Glass is a thing that really breaks my spirit: I do not like
to fail, and with glass I cannot reach the work of my high
calling—the artist's.
I am, as you may gather from this, wonderfully better: this
harsh, grey, glum, doleful climate has done me good. You
cannot fancy how sad a climate it is. When the thermometer
stays all day below 10°, it is really cold; and when the wind
blows, O commend me to the result. Pleasure in life is all
delete; there is no red spot left, fires do not radiate, you
burn your hands all the time on what seem to be cold stones.
It is odd, zero is like summer heat to us now; and we like,
when the thermometer outside is really low, a room at about
48°: 60° we find oppressive. Yet the natives keep their holes
at 90° or even 100°.
This was interrupted days ago by household labors. Since then
I have had and (I tremble to write it, but it does seem as
if I had) beaten off an influenza. The cold is exquisite.
Valentine still in bed. The proofs of the first part of
the _Master of Ballantrae_ begin to come in; soon you shall
have it in the pamphlet form; and I hope you will like it.
The second part will not be near so good; but there—we can
but do as it'll do with us. I have every reason to believe
this winter has done me real good, so far as it has gone;
and if I carry out my scheme for next winter, and succeeding
years, I should end by being a tower of strength. I want you
to save a good holiday for next winter; I hope we shall be
able to help you to some larks. Is there any Greek isle you
would like to explore? or any creek in Asia Minor?—Yours ever
affectionately,