COVE

My Dearest Hellen,

I’m writing this letter to you because I found the most adorable book that made me think of you! As you’ll be able to tell from the address, I’m writing to you from Chicago! I’ve been visiting my in-laws with Frank while my parents are watching the kids and what a joy it’s been! Frank and his father went golfing yesterday, so Margie and I had a ladies outing! Everyone’s been telling me to “stop at Nedwick’s!” even the lady Frank was sitting next to on the plane told us to go there! Apparently everyone in town knows the owners and if you don’t you live under a rock! So when Margie told me we were having a gal’s day, the first thing on the docket was a trip to Nedwick’s Old Books (you can see the address in the back on the bookseller’s ticket). When we walked in, there were books piled all the way to the ceiling, you’d think it was a public library! The minute that bell rang, Jerry and his wife were on us like bees to honey. I swear they were the most friendly booksellers or any kind of seller I’d ever met! Jerry started the business from his love for antiquarian books and Rhoda helped him run it. And what a charming couple they were!

Margie and I were so engaged by these two! Jerry told us all about his collections, including his editions of Fitzgerald’s Rubáiyát, which is where I found this little wonder! Seeing the Scottie on the front immediately made me think of you and Lily and how fond you would be of this. I believe the pup in the drawings was the author’s as well! As you can see, the Scottie has little white paws (like socks) and the dedication says, “To the memory of ‘Socks.’” The author, Sewell Collins, also illustrated the piece as well as wrote it!

Now, Jerry wrote the price as $150 in the front of the book but I don’t want you to worry about that! It was my treat and you know me and Frank have more than enough help from the inlaws (but don’t tell the colonel I said that). Though I had no intention of purchasing, after talking with the fine gentleman, I thought what a great way to support this small business and treat my friend to a lovely piece of literature! 

You have to go through the pages and look at all of the illustrations because they are just darling! Stanza IV reminded me perfectly of your little Lily: “And now the door is lockt… whose festive Voices rise– A moment more, you bet, they’ll hear from Mine!” I can’t count how many times we’ve had tea in the parlor while she was whining at the door. And what a cute little image to accompany it! I imagine that’s what she looks like waiting for us to open the door. The other passage that caught my eye was stanza XX. I’m sure I don’t even need to explain, however I shall do my part, it reads, “Myself when young did stealthily frequent / My Mistress’ Room and had great argument / With Shoes and Slippers mainly.” How amusing is that! Do you remember the first time I visited when Lily was a pup? Surely you do. She certainly had quite the argument with my slippers! I’ll never forget how sad she looked when she realized she had done wrong, poor thing. Though she could never get too in trouble with that face. You’ll have to show this to sweet Lily and write back to me her reaction!

I miss you dearly.

With love,

Anna