Thank you for all your kind words.
Letter to J. W. Cross, 22d Jan. 1879.
Sometime, if I live, I shall be able to see you—perhaps sooner than any one else—but not yet. Life seems to get harder instead of easier.
Letter to J. W. Cross, 30th Jan. 1879.
When I said "sometime" I meant still a distant time. I want to live a little time that I may do certain things for his sake. So I try to keep up my strength, and I work as much as I can to save my mind from imbecility. But that is all at present. I can go through anything that is mere business. But what used to be joy is joy no longer, and what is pain is easier because he has not to bear it.
I bless my friends for all their goodness to me. Please say so to all of them that you know, especially Mr. Hall. Tell him I have read his letter again and again.
If you feel prompted to say anything, write it to me.
Letter to Mrs. Burne-Jones, 4th Feb. 1879.
Do not believe that your love is lost upon me, dear. I bless you for all your goodness to me, and keep every sign of it in my memory.
I have been rather ill lately, but my head is clearer this morning. The world's winter is going, I hope, but my everlasting winter has set in. You know that and will be patient with me.