If on Tuesday you should be not well, _pray do not come_--Now, that is
my request to your kindness.[1]
[Footnote 1: Envelope endorsed by Robert Browning:--Tuesday, May 20,
1845, 3-4-1/2 p.m.]
_R.B. to E.B.B._
Tuesday Evening.
[Post-mark, May 21, 1845.]
I trust to you for a true account of how you are--if tired, if not
tired, if I did wrong in any thing,--or, if you please, _right_ in any
thing--(only, not one more word about my 'kindness,' which, to get
done with, I will grant is exceptive)--but, let us so arrange matters
if possible,--and why should it not be--that my great happiness, such
as it will be if I see you, as this morning, from time to time, may be
obtained at the cost of as little inconvenience to you as we can
contrive. For an instance--just what strikes me--they all say here I
speak very loud--(a trick caught from having often to talk with a deaf
relative of mine). And did I stay too long?
I will tell _you_ unhesitatingly of such 'corrigenda'--nay, I will
again say, do not humiliate me--_do not_ again,--by calling me 'kind'
in that way.
I am proud and happy in your friendship--now and ever. May God bless
you!