Page:Life of Octavia Hill as told in her letters.djvu/263

 and see the sweet upturned faces. Besides, it is nice to get on with children. I don't like the things I can't do. We three wandered out into the quiet poderes which are all round. We turned even away from the view of Florence over to the quiet distances. I set the children gathering daisies to make chains to decorate the dolls' house for a doll's birthday which I proposed; and suddenly we came upon a large purple wild anemone. The view was English in colouring, for it has been grey and rainy, but all so wholly different on earth that no sameness of sky or light made it speak to one even in the same language, of which I am always glad. The children were full of delight with their walk. It was so nice going with me, they said. Now good bye, dearest sister.

March 1st, 1868.

It is wonderful how smoothly things go on, and I am able to do the most important part of the work. The thing I have most to neglect is going to see the people; but I spent nearly two hours with them; and they all welcomed me. Poor Alice had scalded her hand and was very suffering; but, after I had talked to her a little she said, with tears in her eyes, " Somehow before you came in I was so down-hearted, but telling you my troubles eases my heart, it does indeed."

20, Via de Serragli, March 1st, 1868.

&hellip; As to me I am thriving in the most unaccountable way.&hellip; This week I really have had