"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."