Page:Thoreau - His Home, Friends and Books (1902).djvu/204

178. His family relate the many evidences of kindness and deep affection, shown by neighbors and even strangers, to one whom they had learned to respect. To Mr. Calvin Greene, the Western friend of Thoreau, Miss Sophia narrated the following anecdote: "Some boys of the vicinity were in the habit of bringing game for him to eat, presenting it at the kitchen door, and then gently withdrawing, so as not to disturb the sick man. On one occasion he was told of it soon after their leaving, when he earnestly inquired, 'Why do you not invite them in? I want to thank them for so much that they are bringing me.' And then adding, thoughtfully, 'Well, I declare; I don't believe they are going to let me go after all.'" At another time, with half-humorous tenderness, he said,—"I should be ashamed to stay in this world after so much has been done for me! I could never repay my friends." His last letter, collated by Emerson and Sanborn, written jointly by Henry and Sophia, was to one of these strangers who, learning of Thoreau's illness, wrote with deep regret and regard. Very calm and courteous is the reply, containing the self-revelatory words,—"I suppose that I have not many months to live, but of course I know nothing about it. I may add that I am enjoying existence as much as ever, and regret