– –

Preface.

It seems strange that I should write a preface to this book, after having published fourteen story books already, which all went into the world unheralded by anything of the sort.

For an Author is the last person who should write a preface to his own book, for he cannot say “It is a good book: I advise you to read it;” and if he attempts to think it is otherwise, he had best leave it unpublished; and we are all so conceited, that we like our books better than ever the Public can be expected to like them.

– vi –

After all, a preface honestly written resolves itself into nothing more than this:

“I hope you will appreciate my book as much as I do.”