第1章 TO THE GENTLE READER;also TO THE GENTLE CRITIC.

Once upon a time,I wrote a little story of a woman who was crushed to death by a python.A day or two after its publication,a friend stopped me in the street."Charming little story of yours,"he said,"that about the woman and the snake;but it's not as funny as some of your things!"The next week,a newspaper,referring to the tale,remarked,"We have heard the incident related before with infinitely greater humour."With this--and many similar experiences--in mind,I wish distinctly to state that "John Ingerfield,""The Woman of the Saeter,"and "Silhouettes,"are not intended to be amusing.The two other items--"Variety Patter,"and "The Lease of the Cross Keys"--I give over to the critics of the new humour to rend as they will;but "John Ingerfield,""The Woman of the Saeter,"and "Silhouettes,"I repeat,I should be glad if they would judge from some other standpoint than that of humour,new or old.