_August 19, 1901._[1]
You must have thought it ungracious of me to remain silent for so long
after your charming letter and your goodness in sending the dear kiekje,
which I have enjoyed so much. The silence has not been from lack of
appreciation, but because the one wholly sound Kartini had all of her
time taken up with the little sick sisters. It was so warm, it was not
hard to exaggerate a little indisposition, so that we could not help
spoiling our invalids. Just now one of the pairs of eyes which I have
seen so troubled, peeped over my shoulder and read this. Child, child,
what do you gain by it? The children will never hear any praise from me,
I assure you. But what am I doing now--speaking ill of my dear little
sisters?
* * * * *
Nothing is impossible in this world. What we look upon today as an
impossibility, tomorrow may be an accomplished fact.
There is a restlessness in our native civilization, the spirit of
progress is moving among us. It is strongly combated by the inherent
love which the Javanese has for the ancient "laws." There will be a hard
fight before these hoary ideas and customs shall be deeply buried in the
ground, never again to rise.
[1] To Mevrouw H.G. de Booij-Boissevain.