Letter, Lucy Westenra to Mina Murray
May 24 My dearest Mina
Thanks, thanks and thanks again for your sweet letter. It was so nice to feel your sympathy!
My dear, it never rains but it pours. How old sayings are true! Here I am, to me that I have twenty years in September and never had an offer today, not true, and today I had three. Imagine! Three proposals in one day! Is not it terrible? I feel sad, truly and deeply saddened by two of the three subjects. Oh, Mina, I'm so glad I do not know what to do with myself! And three proposals of marriage!
But, for heaven's sake, do not tell ninthem, and women, I fear, are not always as fair as they should be. Well, dear, the number one arrived just before lunch. I've already talked about it: Dr. John Seward, the lunatic asylum man, with a strong chin and a good front. Was very cold outside, but still was nervous. Evidently he was educating himself about all sorts of little things, and remembered, but he managed to almost sit on his silk hat, which men generally do when they are quiet, and then, trying to appear calm , was playing with a lancet in a way that almost made me cry. He spoke to me, Mina, very directly. I said how I wanted him, despite knowing so little time, andwhat would your life be if I had me to help and cheer. He was about to tell me how unhappy he would be if I did not want him too, but when he saw me crying he said he was a brute and would not add more pain to the present. Then she paused and asked if I could come to love over time, and when I shook my head, his hands trembled, and then, with some uncertainty, I asked if I cared about someone else. I said it all in a very nice, saying he did not want to force me to confess, but I wanted to know, because if a woman's heart was free a man might have hope. And then, Mina, I felt a sort of duty to tell him that there was someone. I just told him that and he wasstanding, and looked very strong and very serious when he took my hands in hers and said he hoped I was happy, and if ever I needed a friend had to tell him from one of the best. Oh, Mina dear, I can not mourn, you must forgive that this letter be stained. It's very nice to be proposed by one and all that stuff, but it is not at all a happy thing when you see some poor guy, you know loves you honestly, seeing everything away discouraged, and you knew that no matter what can say at this time, you're away from your life forever. My dear, when I stop here, I feel so bad, but I'm so happy!
Night,
Arthur has just gone, and I feel much more lively than whenor Quincey P. Morris found me alone. It seems that a man always finds herself alone with a girl. No, not always, for Arthur tried on two separate occasions, and I helping him all I could, I'm not ashamed to say it now. I must say first of all, that Mr. Morris does not always speak slang, that is, does not speak in front of strangers, it is really well educated and has a very fine way, but realized that I was very funny to hear him speak American slang, and whenever I was present, and there was nobody who would bother him, saying funny things. I am afraid, dear, you have to make everything perfect fit for whatever else has to say. But this is something typical of slang. I myself do not know if any"Little girl, I hold your hands and you kissed me, and if these things do not make us good friends, nothing will. Thank you for your sweet honesty to me, and goodbye." He gave
my hand, and taking his hat, left the room without turning to look, without shedding a tear, without trembling or pause. And I'm crying like a baby. Oh, why should you be unhappy a man like that when there are many girls around that could worship the very ground he walks? I know I would if I were free, but it happens I do not want to be free. Honey, this has upset me, and I feel I can not write about happiness now, after what I said and I would not say anything about the number three, until all can be happy.
May 24 My dearest Mina
Thanks, thanks and thanks again for your sweet letter. It was so nice to feel your sympathy!
My dear, it never rains but it pours. How old sayings are true! Here I am, to me that I have twenty years in September and never had an offer today, not true, and today I had three. Imagine! Three proposals in one day! Is not it terrible? I feel sad, truly and deeply saddened by two of the three subjects. Oh, Mina, I'm so glad I do not know what to do with myself! And three proposals of marriage!
But, for heaven's sake, do not tell ninthem, and women, I fear, are not always as fair as they should be. Well, dear, the number one arrived just before lunch. I've already talked about it: Dr. John Seward, the lunatic asylum man, with a strong chin and a good front. Was very cold outside, but still was nervous. Evidently he was educating himself about all sorts of little things, and remembered, but he managed to almost sit on his silk hat, which men generally do when they are quiet, and then, trying to appear calm , was playing with a lancet in a way that almost made me cry. He spoke to me, Mina, very directly. I said how I wanted him, despite knowing so little time, andwhat would your life be if I had me to help and cheer. He was about to tell me how unhappy he would be if I did not want him too, but when he saw me crying he said he was a brute and would not add more pain to the present. Then she paused and asked if I could come to love over time, and when I shook my head, his hands trembled, and then, with some uncertainty, I asked if I cared about someone else. I said it all in a very nice, saying he did not want to force me to confess, but I wanted to know, because if a woman's heart was free a man might have hope. And then, Mina, I felt a sort of duty to tell him that there was someone. I just told him that and he wasstanding, and looked very strong and very serious when he took my hands in hers and said he hoped I was happy, and if ever I needed a friend had to tell him from one of the best. Oh, Mina dear, I can not mourn, you must forgive that this letter be stained. It's very nice to be proposed by one and all that stuff, but it is not at all a happy thing when you see some poor guy, you know loves you honestly, seeing everything away discouraged, and you knew that no matter what can say at this time, you're away from your life forever. My dear, when I stop here, I feel so bad, but I'm so happy!
Night,
Arthur has just gone, and I feel much more lively than whenor Quincey P. Morris found me alone. It seems that a man always finds herself alone with a girl. No, not always, for Arthur tried on two separate occasions, and I helping him all I could, I'm not ashamed to say it now. I must say first of all, that Mr. Morris does not always speak slang, that is, does not speak in front of strangers, it is really well educated and has a very fine way, but realized that I was very funny to hear him speak American slang, and whenever I was present, and there was nobody who would bother him, saying funny things. I am afraid, dear, you have to make everything perfect fit for whatever else has to say. But this is something typical of slang. I myself do not know if any"Little girl, I hold your hands and you kissed me, and if these things do not make us good friends, nothing will. Thank you for your sweet honesty to me, and goodbye." He gave
my hand, and taking his hat, left the room without turning to look, without shedding a tear, without trembling or pause. And I'm crying like a baby. Oh, why should you be unhappy a man like that when there are many girls around that could worship the very ground he walks? I know I would if I were free, but it happens I do not want to be free. Honey, this has upset me, and I feel I can not write about happiness now, after what I said and I would not say anything about the number three, until all can be happy.
