Emily Dickinson
Letter 390 (late May 1873) - no ms. Frances Norcross
Thank you, dear, for the love. I am progressing timidly. Experiment has a stimulus which withers its fear.

      This is the place they hoped before,
      Where I am hoping now
      The seed of disappointment grew
      Within a capsule gay
      Too distant to arrest the feet
      That walk this plank of balm,
      Before them lies escapeless sea
      The way is closed they came.

Since you so gently ask, I have had but one serious adventure - getting a nail in my foot, but Maggie pulled it out. It only kept me awake one night, and the birds insisted on sitting up, so it became an occasion instead of a misfortune. There was a circus, too, and I watched it away at half-past three that morning. They said "hoy, hoy" to their horses.

Glad you heard Rubinstein. Grieved Loo could not hear him. He makes me think of polar nights Captain Hall could tell! Going from ice to ice! What an exchange of awe!

I am troubled for Loo's eye. Poor little girl! Can I help her? She has so many times saved me. Do take her to Arlington Street. Xerxes must go now and see to her worlds. You shall "taste," dear.

                                                                                                         Lovingly.