Letter XII.^18881888    Of the same date as the preceding.

To Olympius.^18891889    Olympius was an influential friend of Basil’s, and sympathized with him in his later troubles, and under the attacks of Eustathius.  cf. Letters ccxi., lxiii., lxiv.

Before you did write me a few words:  now not even a few.  Your brevity will soon become silence.  Return to your old ways, and do not let me have to scold you for your laconic behaviour.  But I shall be glad even of a little letter in token of your great love.  Only write to me.