The worst of it is that there is enough truth in it to make it
difficult for me to deny it. My character is, in some superficial
ways, habits, and tricks of speech, like Reginald. Well, on hearing
what he felt, I wrote him a letter of apology for my carelessness
and thoughtlessness, saying, as frankly as I could, that the
character was not in any way drawn from him, but that I undoubtedly
had, almost unconsciously, taken an external trait or two from him;
adding that I was truly and heartily sorry, and hoped that there
would be no ill-feeling; and that I valued his friendship even more
than he probably imagined. Here is his reply:
MY DEAR F----,
--If you spit on the head of a man passing in the street, and
then write to him a few days after to say that all is forgiven, and
that you are sorry your aim was so accurate, you don't mend
matters.
You express a hope that after what has occurred there may be no
ill-feeling between us. Well, you have done me what I consider an
injury. I have no desire to repay it; if I had a chance of doing
you a good turn, I should do it; if I heard you abused, I should
stick up for you. I have no intention of making a grievance out of
it.
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