alas , that in her zeal , my mother should have over-estimated the strength of her troops : after two days of such furious activity , my condition is far worse than it was even directly after our arrival , and she has been forced to accede to my desire to spend today , at least , comfortably ensconced on a sofa , and with no further call upon my strength , than is necessitated by dipping a pen , or holding open a book .