Farther, I really do feel
hopeful of bracing exercise and wholesome fatigue. You know that
Mr. Crisparkle allows such things their full weight in the
preservation of his own sound mind in his own sound body, and that
his just spirit is not likely to maintain one set of natural laws
for himself and another for me. He yielded to my view of the
matter, when convinced that I was honestly in earnest; and so, with
his full consent, I start to-morrow morning. Early enough to be
not only out of the streets, but out of hearing of the bells, when
the good people go to church.'
Helena thinks it over, and thinks well of it. Mr. Crisparkle doing
so, she would do so; but she does originally, out of her own mind,
think well of it, as a healthy project, denoting a sincere
endeavour and an active attempt at self-correction. She is
inclined to pity him, poor fellow, for going away solitary on the
great Christmas festival; but she feels it much more to the purpose
to encourage him. And she does encourage him.
He will write to her?
He will write to her every alternate day, and tell her all his
adventures.
Does he send clothes on in advance of him?
'My dear Helena, no. Travel like a pilgrim, with wallet and staff.
My wallet--or my knapsack--is packed, and ready for strapping on;
and here is my staff!'
He hands it to her; she makes the same remark as Mr. Crisparkle,
that it is very heavy; and gives it back to him, asking what wood
it is? Iron-wood.
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