Not long since, through Mr. John Denton, your verses came to me. Straight into my hands they came, and from there into my heart. They are singing there now. And for this, my little note carries you real gratitude. It must go to you, however, without name or sign. I'd rather that you stayed a little "unreal." For when names and addresses begin to play their part, then convention steps in to lay forbidding hands on the lips of friendly impulse,--even here in my castle, from which the outside world is almost banished, and which I shall never leave. Thank you more than I can say for the loveliness of your songs. Very sincerely yours, ONE DISTANT READER NEW YORK CITY July 12th Dear Stranger-Lady: I have your letter, and have asked our mutual friend to forward my reply to you. I am so glad that you did not allow Mrs. Grundy to enter that rose-grey bower of yours, which sounds so attractive. I am sure she would find the color scheme most unbecoming! I am so glad that you care for my book. It is my first, and I have a weakness for it. I am afraid I do not sing for the many, but for the few. Time was, when I had hoped to be minstrel for all the world, but that is past now. And I am content with what I do, if it can call forth letters like yours. Will you not write me again, and tell me as much of yourself as you care to? Or am I asking too much? I hope not, for your letter has given me such pleasure. It has made a little happy spot for me along the way, an oasis in that Desert of Loneliness which all of us know so well. It is hard to think of you as really "shut-in." Somehow, I make a different mental picture of you. If you will let me write to you, you will have to bear with _hearing_ me tell of my dreams. But I am sure you could not treat them other than gently. And perhaps we can make for each other a little rendezvous of pen and ink, where we may meet and talk awhile. Yours very gratefully, RICHARD WARREN FROM A SECLUDED SPOT July 14th Dear and Friendly Unknown: Thank you for your letter. I shall be glad to share my quiet days with you. You ask me about myself.