398. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 281–282.
[Hope End]
Monday morning. [31 January 1831] [1]
I was told the other day that I was “very kind” to eat my dinner; and now you tell me that I am “very kind” to ask you to stay here for “so long a period”. Really there is no end of my disinterested beneficence!—— But I am afraid that the last act does not deserve quite so many thanks as the previous one, & that it may be found on the examination of Henrietta or Arabel as witnesses, that I never said, in talking of this subject, “How pleased Mr Boyd will be to come”, but “How pleased I [2] shall be if he will come”. Therefore take back your laurels. It was natural for you to write a little nonsense of course, such as the words I have just commented upon; but it was neither natural nor necessary for you to go out of the way as you have done more than once, to talk of my making “returns” for the kindness you have shewn me. If I were so happy as to be able to render you any real service,—in that case which is improbable I fear to occur,—even in that case, you never could make a correct use of a word most strangely misapplied in your note– By no services, could I, or would I, make ‘returns’ for your kindness to me (—if by ‘returns’ is meant something to cancel obligations—) for like the stain on Lady Macbeth’s hand, not all great ocean’s waters could wash out that from my memory. [3]
And now with regard to your coming here. You cannot think how delighted I am with your half promise to come here,—tho’ Hesiod is not right in this case, when he calls half better than the whole. [4] But if you will not “speak positively”, I will think positively; and it will be “very unkind” in you, & very hard upon me, if you should ever think of disappointing me. Arabel would not tell me her opinion of the probability of your coming, before your letter arrived, for fear I should be disappointed afterwards—so there is a good example of considerate conduct, for you to imitate! Papa is as little likely as I, to object to your adopting Foster’s style [5] in the length of the period of your visit—and everything else shall be settled & talked over, just as you like when I see you. In return for Mrs Boyd’s encouraging prophecy that I shall not be able to do that for months, tell her my conviction & hope to the contrary. My best love to her & Annie respecting whom I am so glad to hear good news– And now I have time only to thank you for the pleasure you have given me,—& to assure you of my being
Ever yours affectionately
E B Barrett.
Publication: EBB-HSB, pp. 116–117.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. The reference to a possible visit to Hope End by Mr. Boyd indicates that this letter falls between the preceding & succeeding ones. Monday fell on 31 January.
2. Underscored twice.
3. Cf. Macbeth, II, ii, 57–58.
4. Works and Days, 40.
5. A repetition of earlier remarks (letter 391) comparing Boyd’s brevity with Foster’s lengthy letters to friends.
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