Page images
PDF
EPUB

THE GENTLE READER

The Gentle Reader

BY

SAMUEL MCCHORD CROTHERS

BOSTON AND NEW YORK

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

MCMXII

=

Copyright, 1903

By Samuel McChord Crothers

All rights reserved

Published October, 1903

Sevid. Barbour 1-26-26

Preface

(HEN Don Quixote was descanting on the beauty of the peerless Dulcinea, the Duchess interrupted him by expressing a doubt as to that lady's existence.

"Much may be said on that point," said Don Quixote. "God only knows whether there be any Dulcinea or not in the world. These are things the proof of which must not be pushed to extreme lengths."

But this admission does not in the least interfere with the habitual current of his thoughts, or cool the ardor of his loyalty. He proceeds after the momentary digression as if nothing had happened. "I behold her as she needs

« PreviousContinue »