Letter Written on Nov 13, 1917

November 13 1917

Dear Miss Turner:

I looked for you in New York among the somnolent at the Harvey lecture. You were asleep in your delightful South Hadley. If one must sleep, you chose the wiser part. Of all the impudence I rehearsed to you, the lecture contained finally only that scintillating gem about the ostriches of the Emperor Commodus. The next day, I had a great pleasure, I spent several hours with Mr. Tiffany among the treasures of his house on Long Island.

Your kindness regarding the agricultural apostle has born fruit. He will appear to your obstinate Balaamic friend about Thanksgiving - appropriate date. Meanwhile, if you could ask your neighbors whether the excellent Youth passed the plate on Sundays and was otherwise irreproachable as a man and a farmer, it would be a help. Did he, to speak American, deliver the goods?

The excellent Lizzie continues to be a pearl among cooks. I do not pass the plate on Sundays, except for more.

Please remember me to your delightful colleague. I do not ask the five Minervas, with whom I sat after the evening meal, to recall my insignificant existence. It would be well to fix the window in the abode of piety so that a sinner could raise it - when the odor of sanctity becomes oppressive. All the same, it was, thanks to you, a delightful experience.

Yours faithfully
W. T. Porter