Page:Thoreau - His Home, Friends and Books (1902).djvu/100

80 the evenings of games and music. A visitor to the family wrote,—"At present Mr. Thoreau's four children are at home—all very agreeable young people, with whom I have many pleasant walks."

In July, 1838, Henry Thoreau, after frustrated hopes for schools in west and east, opened a little home-school in the Parkman House, which stood in the triangular space now fronting the Public Library. This was then the home of the Thoreau family. His letters to John, included in Mr. Sanborn's collation, evidence the fact that, for a time after the opening of the school, he was content, even gay and happy. "I am in school from eight to twelve in the morning and from two to four in the afternoon. After that I read a little Greek or English, or, for variety, take a stroll in the fields. We have had no such year for berries this long time; the earth is actually blue with them. High blueberries, three kinds of low, thimble, and raspberries constitute my diet at present. (Take notice,—I only diet between meals.) Among my deeds of charity, I may reckon the picking of a cherry-tree for two helpless single ladies who live under the hill; but, in faith, it was robbing Peter to pay Paul, for while I was exalted in charity towards them, I had no mercy on my own stomach. Be advised, my love for currants continues I have