CHAPTER IV.
Three Years at Smith College--Appreciation of Its Founder--A Successful Lecture Tour--My Trip to Alaska.
"There is nothing so certain as the unexpected," and "if you fit yourself for the wall, you will be put in." I was in danger of being spoiled by kindness in New York and the surrounding towns, if not in danger of a breakdown from constant activity, literary and social, with club interests and weekend visits at homes of delightful friends on the Hudson, when I was surprised and honoured by a call from President L.Clark Seelye of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, who invited me to take the position of teacher of English Literature at that college.
I accepted, and remained at Northampton for three years, from 1880-1883.

It was a busy life.

I went on Saturday afternoons to a class of married ladies at Mrs.Terhune's (Marion Harland) in Springfield, Massachusetts, where her husband was a clergyman in one of the largest churches in that city.

I also published several books, and at least two Calendars, while trying to make the students at Smith College enthusiastic workers in my department.
Mrs.Terhune was a versatile and entertaining woman, a most practical housekeeper; and she could tell the very best ghost story I ever heard, for it is of a ghost who for many years was the especial property of her father's family.
When I gave evening lectures at Mrs.Terhune's while at Smith College, I was accustomed to spend the night there.

She always insisted upon rising early to see that the table was set properly for me, and she often would bring in something specially tempting of her own cooking.
A picture I can never forget is that of Doctor Terhune who, before offering grace at meals, used to stretch out a hand to each of his daughters, and so more closely include them in his petition.
I used no special text-book while at Smith College, and requested my class to question me ten minutes at the close of every recitation.
Each girl brought a commonplace book to the recitation room to take notes as I talked.