Prudence Bird Ward writes to a friend:
The young gentlemen returned from their expedition to the White Mountains in less than a fortnight; having gone nearly to Concord, N.H., in their boat,—from there they travelled most of the way on foot, returning to their boat by stage. Their return was very expeditious,—coming in the boat fifty miles the last day. Having so much of his vacation left, John thought he would go visit his sisters at Roxbury, and also go to Scituate. We knew not for certain whether Mr. Sewall would be gone. It seems he had set off that very day. John enjoyed himself, however, very well with Ellen and the boys. Caroline told you of the very pleasant visit we had from Ellen; and we have heard directly from there by John Thoreau. A slight notice of John’s visit also came from Ellen to her aunt, accompanying some flowers pressed in a pamphlet sermon, on the inside of which the maiden wrote, “I have enjoyed Mr. John’s visit exceedingly, though sorry that father and mother were not at home.” How sorry she was for their absence we may well imagine.
(The First and Last Journeys of Thoreau, 1:6-7)
