"You must excuse my weakness, remembering that for nearly
twenty-five years I have been used to find my happiness in his. I
can find it nowhere else. But we can live and be helpful without
happiness, and I have had more than myriads who were and are better
fitted for it."
As soon as she was able to see any friends, Mr. Cross, who was an old
and valued one, began to visit her and be helpful to her in many ways,
and he soon became a comfort to that gentle nature to which some prop
was indispensable. She grew accustomed to him, and began to rely upon
his support. After a while she could read with him, and her mind renewed
its vigor. Still later she could play for him, and the consolation of
music was added to her life. As the months went by she leaned upon him
more and more, and found real comfort in his kindly ministrations. This
is the first allusion to him in her letters:--
"I have a comfortable country practitioner to watch over me from
day to day, and there is a devoted friend who is backward and
forward continually to see that I lack nothing."