find the first mention of one of his most memorable contributions--a

story of one of life's moral aspects. The tale, now included in his

collected works, is, for some reason, little read to-day; yet the

curious allegory, so vivid in its seeming reality, is well worth

MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Indeed we haven't forgotten the Howellses, nor scored

up a grudge of any kind against them; but the fact is I was under the

doctor's hands for four weeks on a stretch and have been disabled from

working for a week or so beside. I thought I was well, about ten days