Quiet days afterward resting in her rest.
My duty is done, and now I shall be glad to follow her.
December.–Many kind letters from all who best knew and loved the noble woman.
I never wish her back, but a great warmth seems gone out of life, and there is no motive to go on now.
My only comfort is that I could make her last years comfortable, and lift off the burden she had carried so bravely all these years. She was so loyal, tender, and true; life was hard for her, and no one understood all she had to bear but we, her children. I think I shall soon follow her, and am quite ready to go now she no longer needs me.
January, 1878.–An idle month at Nan's, for I can only suffer.
Father goes about, being restless with his anchor gone. Dear Nan is house-mother now,–so patient, so thoughtful and tender; I need nothing but that cherishing which only mothers can give.
May busy in London. Very sad about Marmee; but it was best not to send for her, and Marmee forbade it, and she has some very tender friends near her.
February.–... Wrote some lines on Marmee.
To Mrs. Dodge.