“Belasco Theatre, New York,
“July 13, 1905.
“My dear, dear Mrs. Bates:—
“I am so sorry I did not see you the other morning when you called at the theatre, but I have been nearly crazy with neuralgia for the past week.
“I am a little bit behind on Blanche’s play, and am hurrying off to Shelter Island to take off my coat and go to work on it. Tell our Blanche it is a bully play, and that the character of ‘the girl’ is sky-high—fits her from her head to her feet! I expect to have it in shape shortly now, and in her hands to study. I am getting together a bully cast for it. I really think the new play is my very best, and I know she will be happy. Give her my love.
“Faithfully,
“David Belasco.”
(David Belasco to Blanche Bates, in San Francisco.)
“Belasco Theatre, New York,
“July 20, 1905.
“My dear Blanche B.:—
“Your letter received.
“I got a little behind on the play; you know I had to run off to London to do big things for the future, and when I got back I went under with my old attacks of neuralgia. You know how I suffer with them, and really, this time the pain was excruciating. I’m glad to say that I am all right again and I am working night and day, hoping that it is the best play I ever wrote. Your part fits you from your dear little feet up to your pretty head. It’s a bully part, and I know you will like it. If you don’t,—well, you need never kiss me again! I call the play ‘The Girl of the Golden