village by sight, and a good many of them by name, and for those whose name they do not know they invent one.
From Mrs. Howitt to Mrs. Hill.
February, 1846.
I am quite anxious to hear something about Maggie. I hope she has been as good a child, and may have left half as sweet a memory as dear Ockey.
Mrs. Howitt to Miss Mary Gillies.[1]
1846
Ockey goes on beautifully. We are all charmed with her; and know not how we shall part with her again.
In another letter about February, 1846.
I brought Miranda home with Maggie yesterday. We are all greatly pleased with her. She is a dear sweet creature; different from Ockey, but, in her way, quite as lovable. We find Maggie much improved by Mrs. Hill's kind care of her, and by her intercourse with those dear little children.
In March, 1846, Mrs. Howitt writes again:
Miranda and Maggie go on charmingly. Miranda is very sweet and much more cheerful than I expected to find her. She is full of life and fun, and has the same kind of ringing joyous laugh as Ockey. The same in spirit, though not in degree. Ockey 's laugh is the happiest, sweetest I ever heard.
- ↑ Miss Gillies and her sister Margaret were Mrs. Hill's bridesmaids, and became life-long friends of her and her children.
