[_Saranac_, _February_ 1888.]
DEAR MR. BURLINGAME,—1. Of course then don’t use it. Dear Man, I write
these to please you, not myself, and you know a main sight better than I
do what is good. In that case, however, I enclose another paper, and
return the corrected proof of _Pulvis et Umbra_, so that we may be
afloat.
2. I want to say a word as to the _Master_. (_The Master of Ballantrae_
shall be the name by all means.) If you like and want it, I leave it to
you to make an offer. You may remember I thought the offer you made when
I was still in England too small; by which I did not at all mean, I
thought it less than it was worth, but too little to tempt me to undergo
the disagreeables of serial publication. This tale (if you want it) you
are to have; for it is the least I can do for you; and you are to observe
that the sum you pay me for my articles going far to meet my wants, I am
quite open to be satisfied with less than formerly. I tell you I do
dislike this battle of the dollars. I feel sure you all pay too much
here in America; and I beg you not to spoil me any more. For I am
getting spoiled: I do not want wealth, and I feel these big sums
demoralise me.
My wife came here pretty ill; she had a dreadful bad night; to-day she is
better. But now Valentine is ill; and Lloyd and I have got breakfast,
and my hand somewhat shakes after washing dishes.—Yours very sincerely,