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Letter #32

Ansd
Sept 27th

#1 West 81st St. New York
September 25th 1906

Dear Mr. Freer,
By not writing you at the end of last week was due to the attack of bronchitis turning out to be more serious than at first thought.  I was not allowed to go out, and no notice came from the storage warehouse that your paintings had arrived.  But as the weather was perfectly awful on Saturday and Friday---over 85%, rainy, and of extreme moisture,---I judged that it was better not to open the pictures in any case.
On Sunday I conferred with Mr. Riley, and gave him a written order, which he took to the warehouse early yesterday morning.  The weather was fine, but I was still too ill to go out.  Mr. Riley brought four of the Ririomins here, of which we opened one, in order for me to discuss the technical points with him, and to show him how to handle the pictures.  He is a man most conscientious, careful and deft.  He took them to his private studio and spent the afternoon in making the preliminary tests of lighting, kind of plate, timing etc.  He brought me the results this morning, and, though still imperfect, they show to a surety that the will attain magnificent success.  He only opened one yesterday, and carried all back at 5:30 last evening.
Today, I am better, but still very sensitive, so I must delay my participating a day more.  But Mr. R. has gone down to get several, and will doubtless strike his gait today.  We shall try to finish by Friday, if possible; and if this fine weather continues, it will be.  However, one cannot foretell weather and accidents.  I am delighted that Stephen is to be in New York, and hope surely that he will look me up.
Your interesting long letter of Sunday has just arrived this morning.  Thanks for enclosing the translation of Kano's letter.