It would take too much time, and I hate travelling over old ground.

But that is a difficulty which I think we can get over.

For many years I have made a record of the principal events of my life, in the form of a personal narrative; and though I have sometimes let it run behind for a while, I have always written it up." "That is exactly the thing.

As you say, telling a long story is troublesome.

I can read it." "I am afraid not.