Neighbors

March 18, 1857

[Goodwin is a neighbor of Thoreau’s, an ordinary farmer.  Emerson is also a neighbor of Thoreau’s, one of the pre-eminent Thinkers of his day (and HDT’s mentor).]  While Emerson sits writing in his study this still, overcast, moist day, Goodwin is paddling up a still, dark river.  Emerson burns twenty-five cords of wood and fourteen tons of coal; Goodwin perhaps a cord and a half, much of which he picks out of the river.  He says he’d rather have a boat leak some for fishing.