Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0012800, Wed, 7 Jun 2006 21:34:01 -0400

Subject
Re: Kinbote v. Naiman (last one, I promise)
From
Date
Body
Prof. Kinbote:

I regret that a client conference prevented me from taking
your telephone call, which you placed in disregard of my
explicit request that you make no further attempts to
communicate with this office. Unfortunately, the message you
left was somewhat garbled, perhaps due the excessive
background noise that often accompanies a call made from a
public telephone. I was able to gather, however, that you are
unsatisfied with my explanation anent the Hurley/Naiman guide
to the teaching of "Pale Fire." To put it as succinctly as
possible, you have no legal basis on which to dispute the
publication of this guide; it has the full support of the
poet's widow, who naturally wishes the poem to reach a wider
and more receptive audience than your edition-cum-commentary
has garnered.

However, after considerable discussion among the firm's
attorneys, and consultations with both Mrs. Shade and
Professors Hurley and Naiman, we have decided that you are
indeed entitled to a more detailed explanation of the matter.
Toward that end we have dispatched our very competent
colleague John Grady, Esq., of our sister firm Niagarin and
Andronnikov, to meet with you in Cedarn. He left for the
airport just a few moments ago, as it happens, and should be
well on his way by the time this reaches you. We are quite
confident that after meeting with Mr. Grady you will have no
further questions. In the meanwhile, I trust you are enjoying
the Utanan fishing, as I recommended in my previous letter.

Sincerely,

EVELYN FARRAGIL, ESQ

[EDNOTE. "No further questions," indeed! Here's hoping that
Mary Bellino fails to keep her promise, despite the involvement
of the "very competent" and presumably respectable Mr. Grady.
-- SES]


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