308 HAPPY HOLLOW FARM 



scheme of things seems no better than a vain 

 illusion. There's only one cure for that : To 

 find the way back to simplicity. 



Ours is simple living, and it has led me into 

 plain, straight ways of thinking. Can you be- 

 lieve me when I say that I have no doubts now 

 about life? It's entirely true. Why should I 

 have, when Life itself has been patiently teach- 

 ing me? 



We talked of these things the other night out 

 of doors ; talked on and on while the constella- 

 tions marched orderly, stately, unhalting across 

 the infinite background of the sky. We were 

 in a fine temper for trying to put ourselves 

 right, with the mood of the great outdoors to 

 help. We slept peacefully that night. 



Laura hasn't read a great deal of this story 

 as it's been a-writing a scrap now and then, 

 pronouncing a mild sort of approval. I 

 haven't minded that, for I know what the trou- 

 ble must })e. Though I've let you see some of 

 the surface signs of the delight we've known, 

 I've failed to say so many things I ought to 

 have said, so many things I'd like to have said, 

 so many things I would have said but for the 

 luckless circumstance that I can't find the 

 right words for them. It's of no use to search 



