Letter 17.
Crockett Arsenic-Lithia Springs | Shawsville, Virginia |
September 27, 1898
Dear Mr. Reynolds:
Thanks for the English copy of "Phases." It was very thoughtful of
you to send it. I have not seen it as yet for I am stranded afar off in the
mountains, but I return home next Monday—the 3rd of
October—and
the book will be awaiting me. So far I have only seen the American edition
through the chance order which a guest in this little place sent to
Brentano's—there having been some delay in the delivering of the
package from Harpers. Yes, I hope that the book will be successful, but the
kind of success I prefer most now is that which comes from a
discriminating public—which is never large. At all events I am very
well
satisfied with my publishers. As for the work I am doing now it is the
beginning of a serious and tedious amount of toil. I am beginning a long
novel upon modern conditions of life in Virginia and I have made a vow
not to be drawn from it for the next two years.[1] Of course, to refrain from
publishing
anything until two years
from last spring (when the book was begun) will try my patience sorely, but
I hope to be repaid in the end. Yes, I should like to make a serial of it very
well. I expect, by the way, to be in New York for a month about the
middle of November.
Very sincerely yours,
Ellen Glasgow
