Page:Letters from India Vol 1.djvu/282

 shows a large supply of children eight or nine years old; they are come from the Upper Provinces to be passed through Bengal at this wholesome season, and so sent home; but the sight of them gives me yearnings for my nephews and nieces. I always kiss my hand with the greatest warmth to the children on the plain. Some of the little girls put me in mind of our girls in their days, and then again of Greenwich times.

I wish you many happy Christmases, my dear; and that we may pass them together, and have some snow and icicles, and be on the top of a hill with people that we like all about us, and no India to go to, and no sun and no black people, and then we will talk it all over so comfortably.

I took your picture out of its frame yesterday, because I thought it looked a little mildewed; and I touched it up where the horrid insects had got at it; and then it looked so like you, I began to cry about it. passes at least two hours in each week fidgetting those pictures in and out of their frames, and I really like him for his odd fondness for them. ‘I think Mr. Eden, ma’am, wants a little touch about the cheek; it grows pale, don’t you