in San Sebastian

[London] 18 December 71

My dear Laura,

First my best thanks for Toole’s offer. I accept it on two express conditions:

1. that in case the undertaking fails, I shall pay the sum advanced with the usual interest,

2. that Toole shall not advance more than 2,000 frs. The publisher’s remark, that this is only required for the start, seems to me questionable. In any case Toole must stipulate that his obligations refer only to this “start.”

In every respect I prefer a cheap popular edition.

It is a fortunate coincidence that a second German edition has just now become necessary. I am fully occupied with this (and can therefore only write a few lines), completing it, and the French translator will naturally have to translate the improved German edition. (I shall send him the old one with the alterations pasted in.) Möhmchen is just trying to discover Keller’s whereabouts. She has written to his sister for this purpose. If he is not to be found (and in the foreseeable future), the Feuerbach translator would be the right man.

The Russian edition (after the first German edition) will appear in St. Petersburg next January.

Many kisses to you and Schnappy, a happy New Year to Toole and all of you.

Kakadou’s old master