4053. EBB to Sophia Eckley
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 144–145.
[Bagni di Lucca]
[?23] [September 1857] [1]
I wrote a flying line, dearest Sophie, through David on ass-back, to say that Penini is declared now to be & to have been entirely innocent of measles. The doctor last night & this morning imputes everything to some exposure to the sun & to over fatigue– In fact, it would have been gastric fever if it had gone on. But it did not go on, I thank God– Did you help our prayers with yours, dear friend?– The child is really well, & was almost so yesterday. You would think him looking as well as ever, if you saw him,—and he is to get up & dine with us, .. only not to go out, said the doctor, as a matter of precaution,—and even, he may have a little chicken. His spirits are excellent. On my return from our drive yesterday I found him cleaning his sword in bed!!! with a tray full of sand—& when I congratulated him on the agreeable dirty bed he would have as a consequence, he fell into fits of laughter– So our miseries are at an end.
And are we to lose you?– Judge. I dont see how there can be any possibility of infection now– A feverish attack from sun & fatigue cant be an infectious thing, you know– Now can it? And may’nt we have you tonight?
Still, I shall scarcely blame you if you distrust an opinion which comes & goes & turns & twists so– Only, I suppose, it is difficult in such cases to pronounce definitively before a day or two–
What you tell me is deeply interesting. It is great success, wonderful success. How sublime, standing on the brink of that vast spiritual sea, to hear the waves of it murmuring, murmuring.
Your ever affectionate EBB–
Dear, dont come tonight unless your mind is clear about it. I always understand & justify the extreme of care in such cases– If you do come, let it be early– At seven.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Dated by EBB’s mention of her giving a message to Mrs. Eckley’s son, David (see letter 4052).
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