Dear Robert, Since you are kind enough to say you like my stories, I venture to dedicate this book to you. All I ask is that you should sternly restrain your critical faculties (doubtless sharpened by your recent excesses in that line!) when reading it. This is a story for your pleasure and not a candidate for Mr. Graves’ lit-erary pillory! Your friend,
亲爱的罗伯特： 既然你那么诚挚地说你喜欢我的故事，我就斗胆把这本书献给你了。我只求你在阅读时千万要口下留情（毫无疑问，你近来的大肆评论已经让你在这方面愈加老辣犀利了）。 这仅是个供你消遣的故事，可不是让格雷夫斯先生用来做文学批判对象的啊！ 你的朋友
| english | chinse |
|---|---|
| venture to dedicate | 致力於 |
| sternly | 嚴厲地 |
| restrain | 克制 |
| critical | 批判的 |
| faculties | 能力 |
| This is a story for your pleasure | 这仅是个供你消遣的故事 |
| candidate | 候選人 |
| literary pillory | 文学批判 |
