Sir Conan Doyle's Book
Sir Conan Doyle's Book is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle first published in the Evening Standard on 14 september 1921.
Sir Conan Doyle's Book
Sir, — I do not complain of Mr. McCabe's inaccuracies, because it is understood beforehand that whatever conflicts with his conviction that we wind up in the dustbin is not likely to receive much toleration at his hands.
But I would implore him to be more careful with Mark Twain. Mark Twain's remark was that instead of turning the other cheek he returned the other's cheek. This is witty, but Mr. McCabe reproduces it: "When a man hits you on one cheek you return his cheek," which is senseless. He should not tamper with the classics.
As to the rest of Mr. McCabe's slashing review, I will favour him with one more instance of my mental degeneration by quoting the comment of a wise old Chinese control in a similar muse: "He good man but foolish man. Plenty time. He learn better."
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
