HOMEWARD BOUND 63 



Exchanging quick low laughters ; now would rush 



Word upon word to meet a sudden flush, 



A word left off ; a shifting lip's surmise 



But for the most part their two histories 



Ran best thro' the locked fingers and linked arms. 



It was heavenly to our over- worked Linnaeus to bask 

 in the sky of Elizabeth's eyes to enjoy those peaceful 

 Sunday mornings walking by her side, rejoicing in the 

 unwonted stir and glow about his youthful veins ; and 

 in the deep, deep rest of brain. Elizabeth was not a 

 learned woman ; she was busy about household works, 

 which to watch was a pleasure, a change, to him who 

 was weary and sick of books. Such domestic skill, be- 

 sides, seemed to promise the safest ballast to the boat in 

 which they were to place the cargo of life's happiness. 

 (A metaphor, I flatter myself, worthy of Stoever him- 

 self.) ' Houses and goods are inherited from parents, 

 but a sensible woman cometh from the Lord.' ' Come 

 to me, beautiful rose of the northern forest,' was now 

 Linnaeus's constant cry. 'I, who "refused to enfasten 

 the roots of my floating existence," now only ask to be 

 tied.' But Elizabeth was not to be betrayed into 

 unthrifty matrimony. They were formally betrothed, 

 but he was to secure a livelihood before they could be 

 married. 



Papa Moraeus worshipped one graven image that of 

 his sovereign on the copper dollar ; and Elizabeth was 

 her papa's own daughter ; therefore the fittest wife in 

 the world for the careless Linnaeus. 



