TŌKYŌ, July, 1903.
DEAR MRS. WETMORE,--Your most kind letter is with me,--and I do not know
what to say to thank you for the extraordinary interest and trouble that
you have taken in my poor case. It is too bad that, having only one
Fairy-Sister in the world, I should prove to her such a Torment. Perhaps
I may be able to be at some future time a pleasure-giver--I shall pray
to all the gods to help me thereunto.
Please do not worry about that Cornell matter: I suppose that President
Schurman must have been in great anxiety and trouble when he wrote that
letter.
You will be glad to hear that I am now much better than when I last
wrote to you, and that I have finished most of the lectures--in rough
draft. To polish them for publication will be at least a year's work, I
fear; but I am now able, I think, to give a cultured audience a new idea
of Japan, in large outline.
I have to be careful of my health for some time. Perhaps I shall get
quite strong by the end of summer. But I am now only allowed to walk in
the garden....
I cannot write you a pretty letter: I have tried for two days,--but I
feel so stupid.
What I want much is to get a little human sympathy and something quiet
to do. Of course, I should like a university of all things,--but ... is
it possible? I have a new book in MS.; but as I was expecting to go to
America, I did not send it to the publisher. It will chiefly consist of
ghost-tales.
My dear Fairy-Sister, I now am writing only to reach you as soon as
possible,--to thank you, and to reassure you about myself. So please
excuse this poor effort, and believe me most gratefully worshipful.