This correspondent had paid his visit as proposed, discussed the
Thoreau differences, listened delightedly to the first chapters of
_Treasure Island_, and proposed to offer the story for publication
to his friend Mr. Henderson, proprietor and editor of Young Folks.
[_Braemar, September 1881._]
MY DEAR DR. JAPP,--My father has gone, but I think I may take it upon me
to ask you to keep the book. Of all things you could do to endear
yourself to me, you have done the best, for my father and you have taken
a fancy to each other.
I do not know how to thank you for all your kind trouble in the matter
of _The Sea Cook_, but I am not unmindful. My health is still poorly,
and I have added intercostal rheumatism--a new attraction--which sewed
me up nearly double for two days, and still gives me a list to
starboard--let us be ever nautical!
I do not think with the start I have there will be any difficulty in
letting Mr. Henderson go ahead whenever he likes. I will write my story
up to its legitimate conclusion; and then we shall be in a position to
judge whether a sequel would be desirable, and I would then myself know
better about its practicability from the story-teller's point of
view.--Yours ever very sincerely,