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           —ThoughtIwouldwriteakindlittlenotetoGowingandCummingsaboutlastSunday,andwarningthemagainstMr.Stillbrook.Afterwards,thinkingthematterover,toreupthelettersanddeterminednottowriteatall,buttospeakquietlytothem.DumfoundedatreceivingasharpletterfromCummings,sayingthatbothheandGowinghadbeenwaitingforanexplanationofmy(mindyou,MY)extraordinaryconductcominghomeonSunday.AtlastIwrote:“IthoughtIwastheaggrievedparty;butasIfreelyforgiveyou,you—feelingyourselfaggrieved—shouldbestowforgivenessonme.”Ihavecopiedthisverbatiminthediary,becauseIthinkitisoneofthemostperfectandthoughtfulsentencesIhaveeverwritten.Ipostedtheletter,butinmyownheartIfeltIwasactuallyapologisingforhavingbeeninsulted.

           April18.—Aminforacold.Spentthewholedayattheofficesneezing.Intheevening,thecoldbeingintolerable,sentSarahoutforabottleofKinahan.Fellasleepinthearm-chair,andwokewiththeshivers.Wasstartledbyaloudknockatthefrontdoor.Carrieawfullyflurried.Sarahstillout,sowentup,openedthedoor,andfounditwasonlyCummings.Rememberedthegrocer’sboyhadagainbrokentheside-bell.Cummingssqueezedmyhand,andsaid:“I’vejustseenGowing.Allright.Saynomoreaboutit.”ThereisnodoubttheyarebothundertheimpressionIhaveapologised