WCP3230

[1]

The Cottage, Raheny, Co. Dublin

March 12th¹

Dear Mrs Wallace,

Will you think me very troublesome if I ask you to thank Dr Wallace² on my behalf for his letter?³ I do not like to write to him, as I know that his correspondence is overwhelming; yet I like still less to leave his letter without any acknowledgement. I need not say that I am very glad he liked part of my new volume:⁴ indeed the kindly interest he has showed in my work has been a great encouragement and pleasure to me. I wish I could have made all[2] the stories end happily, but I can't help feeling that to do so would be to draw as untrue picture of our people's life. And then there is the consideration that perhaps no story really comes to its end here; if I had not that hope at least, I should never have the heart to write anything.

We are all looking forward eagerly to the appearance of Dr. Wallace's autobiography.⁵ I lately read a fragment of one, which interested me very much — that of Mr. Frederic Myers.⁶ His outlook is singularly hopeful.

If I should be visiting my aunts at Parkstone⁷ this summer, it would[3] give me great pleasure to call upon you.

My father's⁸ illness prevented me from going to them last year, but he is now quite well, and I hope that no obstacle will arise.

Believe me, dear Mrs Wallace, yours sincerely

Jane Barlow [signature][4]

Jane Barlow