For Scott, too, the rides were a
joy, and helped to make him forget his troubles. When he had
told his tale in such a simple way that Littlejohn understood, he
returned home and wrote it down.
In the December of the same year the first part of The Tales was
published, and at once was a tremendous success, a success as
great almost as any of the novels. Hugh Littlejohn liked The
Tales too. "Dear Grandpapa," he writes, "I thank you for the
books. I like my own picture and the Scottish chief: I am going
to read them as fast as I can."
Two more volumes of Tales followed. Then there was no need to
write more for the dearly loved grandson, as a year or two later,
when he was only eleven, poor Littlejohn died. But already the
kind grandfather was near his end also, the tremendous effort
which he made to force himself to work beyond his strength could
not be kept up. His health broke down under it. Still he
struggled on, but at last, yielding to his friends' entreaties,
he went to Italy in search of health and strength.
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