'But not, I hope, till later years!

'With best greetings to you and yours,

'Your

'heartily sincere

'Johs. Brahms.'[84]

That the composer did not forget his maidens during his season at Detmold appears from another letter to Fräulein Wagner written a couple of months later:

'Dec., 1859.

'Esteemed Fräulein,

'Here are some new songs for your little singing republic. I hope they may assist in keeping it together. If I can help towards this end pray command me.

'Kindest greetings to you and yours.