'
'We shall see. Of course there was a great deal of miserable
struggle even then, but I remember it as insignificant compared
with the hours of contented work. I seldom did anything in the
mornings except think and prepare; towards evening I felt myself
getting ready, and at last I sat down with the first lines
buzzing in my head. And I used to read a great deal at the same
time. Whilst I was writing "On Neutral Ground" I went solidly
through the "Divina Commedia," a canto each day. Very often I
wrote till after midnight, but occasionally I got my quantum
finished much earlier, and then I used to treat myself to a
ramble about the streets. I can recall exactly the places where
some of my best ideas came to me. You remember the scene in
Prendergast's lodgings? That flashed on me late one night as I
was turning out of Leicester Square into the slum that leads to
Clare Market; ah, how well I remember! And I went home to my
garret in a state of delightful fever, and scribbled notes
furiously before going to bed.'
'Don't trouble; it'll all come back to you.
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