My Dear Girls:
You have asked me many times to write my memoirs, without ever thinking how difficult it would be for me even to attempt such a task. I never considered your request seriously for the simple reason that my entire life has been so dull and uninteresting that to write about it seemed not in the least worthwhile. But now that I am past seventy the thought keeps occurring to me, that perhaps I should leave you some sort of record of my trials and errors in the hope that you will better understand my failures.
-H.W.M