May 14, 1954

Dear Mr. Beston,

Although this letter is a result of a telephone con-
versation with Carl Buchheister, it is, in a way, at least
twenty years overdue. It was about that long ago that I discover-
ed "The Outermost House" in a corner of the Pratt Library in
Baltimore. I hesitate to guess how many times I have read the
book since then, but I don't hesitate to say that I can think
of few others that have given me such deep and lasting pleasure,
or to which I can return with such assurance of a renewal of
my original enjoyment.

While I was writing "Under the Sea Wind" I spent part
of a summer at Woods Hole, and one day drove to Eastham and
walked down the beach to find the little house and the surround-
ings with which I felt so familiar through your pages. The
daughter of one of your Harvard contemporaries, Mr. George
Hamilton, was with me. After that happy experience I wanted to
write you, but procrastinated. Then, a year or more ago, some
one sent me a clipping of your review of "Under the Sea Wind"
(I had missed the review on its appearance.) Let me tell you
now, though belatedly, that I found it the most beautiful,
perceptive, and deeply satisfying one I had read, and because
of my feeling about "The Outermost House", I was so grateful
it was you who had written it.

Recently I acquired a bit of Maine coast at Southport
and built a cottage overlooking Sheepscot Bay; last summer we
occupied it for the first time -- my mother and I. Next week
I am going up to open the cottage and spend a few days there.
When I was in New York earlier this week, I called Mr. Buchheister
to ask whether veeries would be singing this early, and where.
He immediately suggested that I ask you about localities. To
me the song of the veery is one of the most deeply moving of
bird voices, and I should love to hear them again in Maine, and
to have the friend who will be with me hear them. I know she
will share my feeling about the song, just as she shares my
feeling for "The Outermost House".

I am not certain how long we shall be able to stay
(we shall arrive on Monday, the 17th) or whether there will be
an opportunity to go far afield to explore for veeries, but I
thought I'd like to telephone you from Southport and ask your
suggestions. And some time I'd like so much to come and meet
you and Mrs. Beston. If it is convenient for you next week and
the weather is good, perhaps Mrs. Freeman and I might be able
to drive up for a brief call; otherwise I hope it can be
arranged later in the summer.

Very sincerely yours,