English fiction -- 20th century; English wit and humor; Humorous stories, English; Short stories, English; Sports stories
DEAR THANKYOU,--I am rather upset about my walking. You remember I
told you I had done seven in my last? Well, this morning I couldn't
do a single one! Well, I did do one, as a matter of fact, but I
suppose some people would say it didn't count, because I fell down
directly after, though I don't see that that matters--do you,
Thankyou? But even with that one it was only one, and yet I know I
did seven the day before. I wonder why it is. I do it the right
way, I'm sure, and I keep my hands out so as to balance, so perhaps
it's the shoes that are wrong. I must ask mother to get me a new
pair, and tell the man they're for walks.
Now _do_ write me a nice long letter, Thankyou, because I feel very
miserable about this. It _is_ right, isn't it, when you have the
right leg out, only to bring the left one just up to it, and not
beyond? And does it matter which foot you start with? Let me know
quickly, because father is coming home to-morrow and I want to show
him. Your loving
O.D.
P.S.--I am glad you like your pianola.
IV
DEAR O.D.,--Very glad to get yours. If you really want a long
letter, you shall have one; only I warn you that, if once I begin,
nothing less than an earthquake can stop me. Well, first then, I
played the "Merry Widow Waltz" yesterday to Mrs Polacca, who is a
great authority on music, and in with all the Queen's Hall set, and
she said that my touch reminded her of--I've forgotten the man's name
now, which is rather sickening, because it spoils the story a bit,
but he was one of the real tip-toppers who make hundreds a week, and,
well--that was the sort of man I reminded her of. If I can do that
with a waltz, it stands to reason that with something classic there'd
be no holding me. I think I shall give a recital. Tickets 10s. 6d.
No free seats. No emergency exit. It is a great mistake to have an
emergency exit at a recital....
(_Three pages omitted._)
Really, O.D., you must hear me doing the double F in the "Boston Cake
Walk" to get me at my best. You've heard Kubelik on the violin?
Well, it's not a bit like that, and yet there's just that something
which links great artists together, no matter what their medium of
expression. Your loving
THANKYOU
_P.S._--Glad you're getting on so well with your walking.
V
DEAREST THANKYOU,--Hooray, hooray, hooray--I did twenty-five walks
to-day! Father counted. He says my style reminds him of _Cancer
Vulgaris_ rather. How many times can _he_ do it? Not twenty-five on
the third day, I'm sure.
Isn't it splendid of me? I see now where I was wrong yesterday. I
got the knack again suddenly this morning, and I'm all right now.
To-morrow, I shall walk round the table. It is a longish way, and
there are four turns, which I am not sure about. How _do_ you turn?
I suppose you put the right hand out? Your very loving O.D.
VI
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account