I want to tell you also that I have suppressed your poem. I shall send it you for yourself, and I hope you will agree with me that it was not good enough in point of view of merit, and a little too intimate as between you and me. I would not say less of you, my friend, but I scarce care to say so much in public while we live. A man may stand on his own head; it is not fair to set his friend on a pedestal. The verses are now at press; I have written a damn fine ballad.--And I am, dear S. C., ever yours, TOMNODDY. TO THOMAS STEVENSON Want of health preventing the author at this time from carrying the adventures of David Balfour, as narrated in _Kidnapped_, through to their issue as originally designed, it was resolved to wind them up for the present with the discomfiture of the wicked uncle, leaving open the possibility of a sequel, which was supplied six years later in _Catriona_. [_Skerryvore, Bournemouth, April 1886._] MY DEAR FATHER,--The David problem has to-day been decided. I am to leave the door open for a sequel if the public take to it, and this will save me from butchering a lot of good material to no purpose. Your letter from Carlisle was pretty like yourself, sir, as I was pleased to see; the hand of Jekyll, not the hand of Hyde. I am for action quite unfit, and even a letter is beyond me; so pray take these scraps at a vast deal more than their intrinsic worth. I am in great spirits about David, Colvin agreeing with Henley, Fanny, and myself in thinking it far the most human of my labours hitherto. As to whether the long-eared British public may take to it, all think it more than doubtful; I wish they would, for I could do a second volume with ease and pleasure, and Colvin thinks it sin and folly to throw away David and Alan Breck upon so small a field as this one.--Ever your affectionate son, R. L. S. TO MISS MONROE The next is in answer to criticisms on _Prince Otto_ received from a lady correspondent in Chicago. _Skerryvore, Bournemouth, May 25th, 1886._