“I was very glad to get your letter--but why haven’t you been over? I’ve been expecting, or at least hoping, to hear of your coming all the summer. Thanks for your news of ‘Ursula’--it seems to have made a good beginning--here we are busy rehearsing it and hope to do as well in London. I’m back from my holiday for this purpose--also to have teeth out--for the holiday was spoilt by a violent attack of toothache. I had a face like a turnip--thankful am I that this didn’t happen while I was with you, or we should have had to bring the curtain down for a fortnight at least. But I got a run in France and another in Scotland, so I mustn’t complain. Only just now I’m a wreck from that dentist’s nefarious deeds! “I think you ought to have a success with Zangwill--he’s an interesting personality. For me--well, I hope indeed to come over again, but I doubt whether the reading desk will see me any more--they like my books better than they like me, and I am very content to have it so. But I wouldn’t have missed the tour we did together and the experience of it. Just now I’m doing nothing--except the aforesaid rehearsals. All inspiration for new work tarries. It’ll come some day perhaps. Congratulations that you are well and prosperously through the war! The feeling here has surprised me by its warmth and generality. So there’s one good result, anyhow. “My best remembrances to Mrs. Pond. No, I didn’t solve the riddle and had to look! I suppose it’s no good hoping for you here before next summer now, but then you must come at all risks. “Yours ever, my dear Major, “ANTHONY H. HAWKINS.” * * * * * “30th Dec., ’98, “16 BUCKINGHAM STREET, STRAND, W.C. “MY DEAR MAJOR: