Your note came to-day—too late for your luncheon—no, not quite that, either, but too late for me to get out of engagements on hand, without lying; & Blaine has discouraged me so, in that line, that I don’t seem able to lie with any heart, lately. But I thank you for the invitation just the same; & also for my half of the invitation to tarry with you when I come to Boston to read; although in this latter case I am barred by the Howells’s invitation which came a short time ago & was accepted. But I thank you both, with love, & shall hope to see you when I come, anyway.

I want to thank you for Mr. Pierce’s speech; , too; I thought it was strong & good; & it was true, too, & had the right ring. We may fail to kill this fraud, but I am betting that we Independents will be strong enough to kill the next one that ventures to hoist his nose out of his sty.