Nor must you think that because I have not written to you before this summer that my new business and friends have driven you out of my mind for even a little while. How often I think of you all, and every day I wish more and more that I was with you once again.
As you have no doubt heard, it has been a great time for me. I wish you could see what I have to do every day. You would be proud then that Billy Whiskers is one of your acquaintances. They tell me that I am famous and I judge that such is the case from the way the crowds cheer every time they see me.
Don’t think that I have become vain and conceited when I tell you that I was never looking so handsome and distinguished as now. Owing doubtless to the great quantity of rich food that I eat daily I have put on more flesh, which improves my figure. Both my hair and beard are longer, whiter and silkier than ever before, while my horns and hoofs are manicured daily.
I try not to be proud and stuck up and never lose a chance of doing a kindness for the wretched wild animals that are shut up in their cages month after month. Just think how dreadful their lives must be. I wish I could tell you all about them but I haven’t time now. Wait till I am home again, then I shall have many strange tales to tell about the lions, and tigers, and wolves, and bears, and all the rest. Some of them are so ferocious that even now the sound of their deep voices makes me tremble.
Speaking of home reminds me that the time is not now far distant when I shall be with you once more. Only the thought of it makes me very happy.
There is just one thing that keeps bothering me. I do not know how I am ever to get away from the monkeys who have chosen me their leader and declare that they will never leave me and that I shall never leave them. While my success in the show business is very largely due to them and I can have no doubt of their fondness for me, I may say to you—but you must never tell it—that I have never been able to like them very much. I do not forget the dreadful fright they gave me at first (it’s a long story and I can’t stop to tell it now) and I just expect they would treat me in the same way again if they suspected that I thought of leaving them. They are certainly the worst looking creatures I ever saw, and some of their manners are little short of disgusting. I shall have to be very sly when the time comes.
This letter is already too long though I haven’t told you half of what I want to.
I hope that little Dick and the boys are well and that the chestnut pony has not entirely taken my place in their hearts.
With best love to all,
Sincerely yours,
Billy Whiskers.