FOREWORDS.
Reading edition
To Charlie.
Dewdrop is a small affair; and the world would not be the least interested, nor a bit the wiser, by knowing how I come affectionately to dedicate the story I have written about it to you. I may tell you it was one line of eleven words, read one night from a musty old volume of last century, which suggested it.
Everybody must have their play-hours and moments of recreation. I think I have gone back to other and more serious work all the better after writing a page or two of what follows. I am happy thus to have had my little holiday along with you in this ideal region of quaint conceits.
Shall we hope that others may share our pleasure?
Let us try.
