Thank you for that Times "review." It is a trifle less malicious than
usual--regarding _me_, that is all. My publisher, Neale, who was here
last evening, is about "taking action" against that concern for
infringement of his copyright in my little book, "Write It Right." The
wretches have been serving it up to their readers for several weeks as
the work of a woman named Learned. Repeatedly she uses my very
words--whole passages of them. They refused even to confess the
misdeeds of their contributrix, and persist in their sin. So they will
have to fight.
* * * I have never been hard on women whose hearts go with their
admiration, and whose bodies follow their hearts--I don't mean that
the latter was the case in this instance. Nor am I very exacting as to
the morality of my men friends. I would not myself take another man's
woman, any more than I would take his purse. Nor, I trust, would I
seduce the daughter or sister of a friend, nor any maid whom it would
at all damage--and as to _that_ there is no hard and fast rule.
* * * * *
A fine fellow, I, to be casting the first stone, or the one-hundredth,
at a lovelorn woman, weak or strong! By the way, I should not believe
in the love of a strong one, wife, widow or maid.
It looks as if I may get to Sag Harbor for a week or so in the middle
of the month. It is really not a question of expense, but Neale has
blocked out a lot of work for me. He wants two more volumes--even five
more if I'll make 'em. Guess I'll give him two. In a week or so I
shall be able to say whether I can go Sagharboring. If so, I think we
should have a night in New York first, no? You could motor-boat up and
back.
Sincerely yours,
AMBROSE BIERCE.[14]
[14] Addressed to George Sterling at Sag Harbor, Long Island.
[Washington, D. C.,
Monday, August 7, 1911.]