Thoreau writes to Ellen Emerson:
I think that we are pretty well acquainted, though we never had any very long talks. We have had a good many short talks, at any rate. Dont you remember how we used to despatch our breakfast two winters ago, as soon as Eddy could get on his feeding tire, which was not always remembered, before the rest of the household had come down? Dont you remember our wise criticisms on the pictures in the portfolio and the Turkish book with Eddy and Edith looking on,—how almost any pictures answered our purpose, and we went through the Penny Magazine, first from beginning to end, and then from end to beginning, and Eddy stared just as much the second time as the first, and Edith thought that we turned over too soon, and that there were some things which she had not seen—? . . .
Your own Mother
I trust you will really answer it, just as if he had spoken what it contains, to your face. Address him “Mr Thoreau” or any thing you like better. Papa and I both read his letter (with his leave, of course,) and liked it much. I hope it gave you pleasure too.
