1My dear Mr Forman
2
3Many thanks for the letter you sent me. I was very sorry to find your
4friends not at home when I arrived in Florence, and they only returned
5the day I left. I am back again in my favourite retreat, a little
6village with one street that runs along the shore of the sea, and with
7the olive woods all around, and where one need not be respectable, i.e.
8 can go about with a shawl over one's head instead of a hat!! I spent
9some months here last year and shall stay here now for six or seven.
10It's difficult to believe one's in the same world that holds the East
11End of London. The earthquake of last year was worse here than at any
12place except Diano Marina, and not more than half the houses are
13rebuilt, but the people seem perfectly happy sitting in the sun and I
14am like them.
15
16...I do not think I shall return to England this next summer, but if I
17should do so ...I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting yourself
18and Mrs Forman.
19
20Believe me,
21Sincerely yours,
22Olive Schreiner
23