In this little MS. everything is too much patronized and
condescended to, whereas the slightest touch of feeling for the rustic
who is of the earth earthy, or of sisterhood with the homely servant
who has made her face shine in her desire to please, would make a
difference that the writer can scarcely imagine without trying it. The
only relief in the twenty-one slips is the little bit about the chimes.
It is a relief, simply because it is an indication of some kind of
sentiment. You don't want any sentiment laboriously made out in such a
thing. You don't want any maudlin show of it. But you do want a
pervading suggestion that it is there. It makes all the difference
between being playful and being cruel. Again I must say, above all
things--especially to young people writing: For the love of God don't
condescend! Don't assume the attitude of saying, "See how clever I am,
and what fun everybody else is!" Take any shape but that.
I observe an excellent quality of observation throughout, and think the
boy at the shop, and all about him, particularly good. I have no doubt
whatever that the rest of the journal will be much better if the writer
chooses to make it so.
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