c/o Oates

Hemingway House

Eliot Street

Coventry CV2 1EE

March 6th 2000

Dear Dr Soames,

Thank you for your kind invitation to

dinner on the 19th. Unfortunately, my

plans have changed somewhat, and I am

leaving England earlier than I had

expected in order to attend a literary

conference in New York. I am sorry to

miss you, but perhaps I could call you

next time I am in England, and we could

arrange to meet.

Until then, kindest regards,