wise engaged. . . . Our bluebirds do battle every day with some martins, who are trying to take possession of their habitation. Luckily, the right is with the strongest, and the bluebirds are not to be ousted. Dr. Ripley preached last Sunday afternoon extempore, as his eyes will not admit of his reading his notes."
The school in Alexandria did not accept Henry Thoreau, and the journey to Kentucky was given up. May 2, 1838, Miss Ward wrote:
"Mr. Thoreau has begun to prepare his garden, and I have been digging the flower-beds. Henry has left us this morning to try and obtain a school at the Eastward. John has taken one in West Roxbury. Helen is in another part of Roxbury establishing herself in a boarding and day school. Sophia will probably be wanted as an assistant; so the family are all disposed of. I shall miss these juvenile members very much, for they are the most important part of the establishment."
Two months later the brothers had given up all thoughts of teaching elsewhere, and
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