se I was just
going to write to you. What do you think? No, you'll never guess--shall
I tell you?--no--yes--no; well, I've bought a pianola!

It's really rather difficult to play it properly. I know people like
Paderewski and--I can only think of Paderewski for the moment, I know
that sort of person doesn't think much of the pianola artist; but they
are quite wrong about it all. The mechanical agility with the fingers is
nothing, the soul is everything. Now you can get the soul, the _con
molto expressione_ feeling, just as well in the pianola as in the piano.
Of course you have to keep a sharp eye on the music. Some people roll it
off just like a barrel-organ; but when I see _Allegro_ or _Andante_ or
anything of that kind on the score, I'm on it like a bird.

No time for more now, as I've just got a new lot of music in.

Your loving,
~Thankyou.~

P.S.--When are you coming to hear me play? I did "Mumbling Mose" just
now, with one hand and lots of soul.

(Signed) ~Paderewski.~

P.P.S.--I am glad you can walk.

III

_Dear Thankyou_,--I am rather upset about my walking. You remember I
told you I had done seven in my last? Well, this morning I couldn't do a
single one! Well, I did do one, as a matter of fact, but I suppose some
people would say it didn't count, because I fell down directly after,
though I don't see that that matters,--do you, Thankyou? But even with
that one it was only one, and yet I know I did seven the day before. I
wonder why it is. I do it the right way, I'm sure, and I keep my hands
out so as to balance, so perhaps it's the shoes that are wrong. I must
ask Mother to get me a new pair, and tell the man they're for walks.

Now do write me a nice long letter, Thankyou, because I feel very
miserable about this. It is right, isn't it, when you have the right leg
out, only to bring the left one just up to it, and not beyond? And does
it matter which foot you start with? Let me know quickly, because Father
is coming home to-morrow and I want to show him.

Your loving.
O.D.

P.S.--I am glad you like your pianola

IV

_Dear O.D._,--Very glad to get yours. If you really want a long letter,
you shall have one; only I warn you that if once I begin nothing less
than any earthquake can stop me. Well, first, the