You will write better than ever.' 'We shall see.

Of course there was a great deal of miserable struggle even then, but I remember it as insignificant compared with the hours of contented work.

I seldom did anything in the mornings except think and prepare; towards evening I felt myself getting ready, and at last I sat down with the first lines buzzing in my head.

And I used to read a great deal at the same time.

Whilst I was writing "On Neutral Ground" I went solidly through the "Divina Commedia," a canto each day.