157. 1944:
Simcoe, Ont.    June 30, 1944

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Dear Phelps,

I write in profound sorrow for Alexander's death because I feel that, in it, you and I are certainly at one.

You know of course of the disaster which has overtaken me. I had a stroke on April 14 and am paralyzed on my right side, at the very moment when I was ready to begin publishing all my best work. The first volume will appear in a few weeks. Your god-son is now nearly 14 yrs. old, and it is one of my sorrows that I shall have to leave him shortly, without having been able to properly provide for him and his mother.

I long for a word from you.

As ever,
f.p.g.