And what would she have made of him? Maybe a poet, maybe a dreamer of
dreams--surely not the hard, grinding, rich man that he became in
this world.


FOOTNOTE:

[1] To the Publisher.--"In returning the Mss. of the life of John
Barclay, which you sent for my verification as to certain dates and
incidents, let me first set down, before discussing matters pertaining
to his later life, my belief that your author has found in the death
of Ellen Culpepper an incident, humble though it is, that explains
much in the character of Mr. Barclay. The incident probably produced a
mental shock like that of a psychological earthquake, literally
sealing up the spring of his life as it was flowing into consciousness
at that time, and the John Barclay of his boyhood and youth became
subterranean, to appear later in life after the weakening of his
virility under the strain of the crushing events of his fifties. Yet
the subterranean Barclay often appeared for a moment in his life,
glowed in some kind act and sank again. Ellen Culpepper explains it
all. How many of our lives are similarly divided, forced upward or
downward by events, Heaven only knows. We do not know our own souls. I
am sure John never knew of the transformation. Surely 'we are
fearfully and wonderfully made.'... The other dates and incidents are
as I have indicated.... Allow me to thank you for your kindness in
sending me the Mss., and permit me to subscribe myself,

"Yours faithfully,

"Philemon R. Ward."