“You see I bear your burdens almost instinctively. In fact, I fear to trust you alone, you being, after all, but a poor little creeter, bless you.”
M. N. TO MR. DANE, SEPTEMBER 23.
“Your letter did me heaps of good, yesterday.
“Mr. Robertson promises to find out the ways of the Corinthian publishers, and write or tell me.... What I want to do, if I do anything, is to make out a written statement, as you suggest, but appear only by that and you. I don't want myself to go on the stage. I should injure the case more than I should help it. Everything that is not in writing, you know as well as I, and I think it would be far better for me to stay at home, the sweet, safe corner by the household fire, behind the heads of children, la! In every other suggestion I agree with you.... I could make my statement, send it to you for decision and presentation, notify them of my acceptance and readiness, and then let the Union slide.
“Did I tell you I had a nice note from Longinus?... He says he wants to talk with me about this—that he thinks authors ought to have an understanding,—that generally with B. & H. he has such and such arrangements; but he marks that whatever arrangement you make, the publisher generally gets the lion's share.
“Now do you think there is any hurry? If not—and as they have wandered at their own sweet will hitherto, I think I might take my turn now; do you think it will be worth while for me to give up my visit? Considering the uncertainty of man, I should say not.”
MR. DANE TO M. N., SEPTEMBER 24.
“There is no reason why you should hurry about your B. & H. matter. They have not been in great haste even to answer your letters. Wherefore, although I shall be glad to see you very soon, you may take your own time, and by thinking, perhaps, add a cubit to your mental stature.
“I am not quite sure you can be excused from being present. You can, however, fortify or fiftify yourself with Fritz or Fred.
“Now write down your claims against B. & H. like a lawyer.”