opinions and feelings would do me any good.  She has a fine mind and likes to cultivate it, and for that I respect her, but she has nothing natural and girlish in her, and I am persuaded, never had.  She hates little children; says she hates to hear them laugh, thinks them little fools.  Why, how odd all this is to me!  I could as soon hate the angels in heaven and hate to hear them sing.  That, to be sure, is my way, and the other way is hers—­but somehow it doesn’t seem good-hearted to be so very, very superior to children as to shun the little loving beautiful creatures.  I don’t believe I ever shall grow up!  But, Miss ——­, I don’t want to do you injustice, and I’m much obliged to you for all the flattering things you’ve said about me, and if you like my eyes and think there is congeniality of feeling between us, why, I thank you.  But oh, don’t teach me that the wisdom of the world consisteth in forswearing the simple beauties with which life is full.  Don’t make me fear my own happy girlhood by talking to me about love—­oh, don’t!

Dec. 1.—­I wonder if all the girls in the world are just alike?  Seems to me they might be so sweet and lovable if they’d leave off chattering forever and ever about lovers....  If mothers would keep their little unfledged birds under their own wings, wouldn’t they make better mother-birds?  Now some girls down-stairs, who ought to be thinking about all the beautiful things in life but just lovers, are reading novels, love-stories and poetry, till they can’t care for anything else....  Now, Lizzy Payson, where’s the use of fretting so?  Go right to work reading Leighton and you’ll forget that all the world isn’t as wise as you think you are, you little vain thing, you!  Alas and alas, but this is such a nice world, and the girls don’t know it!

Dec. 2.—­What a pleasant walk I had this morning on Ambler’s Hill.  The sun rose while I was there and I was so happy!  The little valley, clothed with white houses and completely encircled by hills, reminded me of the verse about the mountains round about Jerusalem.  Nobody was awake so early and I had all the great hill to myself, and it was so beautiful that I could have thrown myself down and kissed the earth itself.  Oh, sweet and good and loving Mother Nature!  I choose you for my own.  I will be your little lady-love.  I will hunt you out whenever you hide, and you shall comfort me when I am sad, and laugh with me when I’m merry, and take me by the hand and lead me onward and upward till the image of the heavenly forceth out that of the earthly from my whole heart and soul.  Oh, how I prayed for a holy heart on that hillside and how sure I am that I shall grow better! and what companionable thoughts I’ve had all day for that blessed walk!