[Lydia] Maria [Child] ALS to [Anna Loring], January 15, 1841

Northampton. Jan 15th.
1841

Dear Nony,

I received your beautiful pres-
-ent safe and sound. It was very kind of
you to think of poor Aunt Maria, all alone
up here. I think you showed a great deal of
taste in your choice. It is one of the loveliest
things I ever saw. I never received so much
pleasure from any little kind attention in my
life. I don't know who sent me the dear
little face peeping through grandmother's
spectacles. It made me wish I had a little
Nony to put on my spectacles, when I get
old. When I wear spectacles, you will be
a tall young lady; and you will think to
yourself, "I wonder whether that queer-look-
ing old woman is my aunt Maria, that
used to play romps with me, when I was a
little girl? I remember the first thing in
the morning, she used to say "Nony, dear" -
Then I'd run; for I knew what was coming;
and I hadn't learned a word of my French
lesson. At dinner she'd begin again, 'Birdeen,