The Letter

by Donald Smith

You glance around the room, noticing the bookshelves. All of them are filled with dusty volumes, many of which seem to be written in languages you've never heard before. You are able to identify only one a slender volume of poetry, bound in green leather. The title is "Poems by William Shakespeare."
The journal of your great-grandfather, Samuel Davenport, lies open on the desk. He was a professor at Harvard University, specializing in mathematics. Over the course of this journal, he records his thoughts on many different subjects, including philosophy, literature, science, and politics. Some entries are quite personal, while others are more philosophical in nature. His handwriting is tiny, almost illegible, and the ink has faded badly.
I am glad to find myself in this room again. I feel most comfortable here. Perhaps because it reminds me of my home. My father's study is often cold and uninviting, and I find it hard to relax there. But here, this room feels warm and inviting.

217 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1983

About the author

Librarian Note: This profile contains more than one author. Those listed below have multiple books listed on GoodReads.

Donald Smith (2 spaces): Scottish poet, novelist, and historian, Luath press
Donald Smith (3 spaces): manuals and business self-help
Donald Smith (4 spaces): cookbooks
Donald Smith (5 spaces): novels, Xulon Press
Donald Smith (6 spaces): children’s books
Donald Smith (7 spaces): Canadian professor reference books and history, especially French-Canadian