I know I should be grateful, Rapaire, 'deed I do. But somehow I can't take it on; not that it would be an unworthy sentiment to thank you for not doing something you considered, but for fear that if I( were to agree to such a contract, I would be obliged to thank you ten thousand times an hour far into eternity; and while this contemplated destiny might be slightly less discouraging in prospect than the flames of Dante's Inferno, the difference over such a long period becomes negligible, and hence I cannot bring myself to do it. I am sure you will understand.

A