_Vailima_, _Samoa_, _December_ 3_rd_, 1893.
DEAR JOHNNIE,—Well, I must say you seem to be a tremendous fellow!
Before I was eight I used to write stories—or dictate them at least—and I
had produced an excellent history of Moses, for which I got £1 from an
uncle; but I had never gone the length of a play, so you have beaten me
fairly on my own ground. I hope you may continue to do so, and thanking
you heartily for your nice letter, I shall beg you to believe me yours
truly,