My dear Mrs.
Brodie
One day last week I was in London — where I scarcely ever go — & I tried to get as far
as you — but failed half-way — It must have been the very day you were writing
to me. — I have had the busiest year possible — for between January & January I have written a novel
— built a house — & had a baby! — not in your way — but sent direct I think
from heaven to my comfort. — Last New Year's
morning there was picked up by Beckenham Church — a
baby half-dead with cold — no clue whatever — (& none has ever since been
found) to antecedents — It was a sweet little girlie — under a year old
apparently — & having evidently been most carefully reared until deserted
thus. — I fetched her from the workhouse — & after three weeks consideration
with my husband's
consent took her for my own. — We christened her “Dorothy” — “the gift of God”
— as truly she is — & the sunshine of the house — so bright — so healthy —
so sweet-tempered. — She is fair — with big blue eyes — a fine head – lovely
little feet, hands & ears. — Her feet are so tiny that she can't walk —
though in all else she is very forward — she says “papa” & “mama” — & they are both awfully
fond of her. — Mama feels like
another woman now she has a baby of her own! — & doesn't care a pin for any
antecedents that may turn up — She will be brought up as Miss Dorothy Craik — &
in all human probability nothing will ever be heard of her parents — The penalty
for child-desertion is three year's imprisonment — & to pay all expenses
since the child was found. — She had on a few clothes — very clean — but
evidently meant to destroy all identity — some very very fine — some coarse — no
frock — no shawl — she was nearly frozen to death — circles on her poor little
hands — Fancy the heart that left her there! — a child old enough almost to
talk. — Every night when her real
mama cuddles her up & lays her down in her warm little bed —
she thanks God! — & feels sure God sent her her
little Dorothy. —
— Well — dear Helen —
here is my story — tell it to your father — & mother — & when
you return fix some day to come out — & see my little lamb. And bring your boy — with whose Photo she was delighted — insisted
on giving it some of her dinner! — a sweet wee fellow — I am longing to see him.
—
How to get to you I know not — my life is so busy — I hardly ever get away from
home for a day. — Kind regards to the good husband & the cousins
& Aunt Ann. —
And believe me always affectionately yours
DMCraik —
March 18th
:1869 —