But now she did not give these Censors and jailers a thought. She sat down and wrote quite simply and easily the words which welled up out of her heart:
“My Dearest,
“To-day is New Year’s Day, and I have had the great joy of receiving news of you. Also your blessing, which has already done me good. I wish you to get this letter quickly, so I will not make it long.
“I am forbidden to give you any news, so I will only say that Rose and I are well. That I love you and think of you all the time, and look forward to being always with you in God’s good time.”
She hesitated a moment as to how she would sign herself, and then she wrote:
“Your own
“Mary.”
She looked over the letter, wondering if she could say any more, and then a sudden inspiration came to her. She added a postscript:
“I am spending the money you left with me. It is a great comfort.”
This was not strictly true, but she made up her mind that it should become true before the day was out.
Far longer did she take over her letter to the German doctor—indeed, she made three drafts of it, being so pitifully anxious to say just the right thing, neither too much nor too little, which might favourably incline him to his prisoner patient.