ENPages
p.
West Park, N. Y. May 22, 1920 Dear Mrs. Patten, Several days before your letter came I had made up my mind I could not go to Washington this spring, so I am not put out by the condition of your domestic affairs, though I should like much to see you all. I am not very well and shrink from the thought of any long journey at this time. Maybe, as you suggest, I can go in the fall, in October. We expect to go to California again in the winter, starting probably in November. I am inclosing a copy of "Waiting" for you. I am sorry we have not a better paper on which to write it, and are not where we can get any. I wish I were going to Maine this summer as I did a few years ago, but the probabilities are I shall stay at Woodchuck Lodge. I have explained somewhere in my books why the robins assault the windows in the way you describe. I have seen them do it many times. They see their own images reflected there and suppose they are fighting a rival. It is only against windows that look into a darkened room that they do this. If you will put up something white against the window on the inside, you will see that the assault will cease. Affectionate regards to you all, Your friend, John Burroughs
