contented spirit and another job and Ahellofalotof things.  Don’t get nervous about me, because I’m not going to kill myself for lack of all these things, although a true-born Samurai, loyal to Bushido might do so.  For it is dishonor not to be rich at Christmas time; not to feel rich, anyway.  But then let me see what I’ve got!  There’s Anne!  I expect if sold on the block, at public auction, say in Alaska, where women are scarce, she would bring some price; but her digestion isn’t very good and her heart is quite weak and her hair is falling out.  But these things, of course, the auctioneer wouldn’t reveal.  She would make a fine Duchess, but the market just now is overstocked with Duchesses.  And she is a good provider when furnished with the provisions.

Now there is Ned—­he could hire out as a male assistant to a female dancer and get fifty a week, perhaps.  Nancy couldn’t even do that.  They are both liabilities.  So there you are, with Duchesses on the contraband list, and Nancy not old enough to marry a decayed old Pittsburg millionaire, I will be compelled to keep on working.  For my assets aren’t what your noble husband would call quick, though they are live.  I really don’t know what to do.  I shall wait till Anne comes home and then, as usual, do what she says.

I really did look for something for you.  But the only thing I saw that I thought you would care for was a brooch, opal and diamonds for seven hundred and seventy-five dollars, so I said you wouldn’t care for it.  But I bought it for you A La Christian Science.  You have it, see?  I think you have it, that I gave it to you.  And that Adolph doesn’t know it, see?

Well you have the opal and I am happy because you are enjoying it.  Such fire!  What a superb setting!  And such refined taste, platinum, do you notice! oh, so modest!  No one else has any such jewel.  How Henry will admire it—­and how mystified Adolph is!  Tell him you bought it out of the money you saved on corned beef.  How I shall enjoy seeing you wear it, and knowing that it bears in its fiery heart all the ardent poetry that I would fain pour out, but am deterred by my shyness.  But you will understand!  Each night you must take it out just for a glimpse before saying your prayers.  The opal is from Australia, the platinum from Siberia, the diamonds from Africa, the setting was designed in Paris.  And here it is, the circle of the world has been made to secure this little thing of beauty for you.  What symbolism!

I hope it will make you happy, and cause you to forget all your pain and weakness.  It has given me great happiness to give you this little gift.  And so we will both have a merry Christmas.

FRANK

VIII

AMERICAN AND MEXICAN AFFAIRS

1916

On Writing English—­Visit to Monticello—­Citizenship for Indians—­On Religion—­American-Mexican Joint Commission