I would seek for something to do -- for interests which would bind me to my fellow-creatures -- for tasks which would lessen the pains and perils of humankind . An hour before , this would not have seemed to me possible ; now it seemed the right and natural thing to do . A week later another letter came . I welcomed it with an eagerness which I feared was almost childish . It was a much longer letter than the first and was written in quite a different strain . There was no apology for or explanation of the motive for writing . It was as if the letter were merely one of a permitted and established correspondence between old friends . It began with a witty , sparkling review of a new book the writer had just read , and passed from this to crisp comments on the great events , political , scientific , artistic , of the day . The whole letter was pungent , interesting , delightful -- an impersonal essay on a dozen vital topics of life and thought . Only at the end was a personal note struck . `` Are you interested in these things ? '' ran the last paragraph . `` In what is being done and suffered and attained in the great busy world ? I think you must be -- for I have seen you and read what is written in your face . I believe you care for these things as I do -- that your being thrills to the ` still , sad music of humanity ' -- that the songs of the poets I love find an echo in your spirit and the aspirations of all struggling souls a sympathy in your heart . Believing this , I have written freely to you , taking a keen pleasure in thus revealing my thoughts and visions to one who will understand . For I too am friendless , in the sense of one standing alone , shut out from the sweet , intimate communion of feeling and opinion that may be held with the heart 's friends . Shall you have read this as a friend , I wonder -- a candid , uncritical , understanding friend ? Let me hope it , dear lady . '' I was expecting the third letter when it came -- but not until it did come did I realize what my disappointment would have been if it had not .
After that every week brought me a letter ; soon those letters were the greatest interest XXXXX my life .
as at from if in of on than that to