To J. M. BARRIE

  My Dear Barrie,—It is all but twenty years since
we were first acquainted, for if we live till the spring of
1908, our friendship will have reached its majority.
Of those far-off days I cherish, as I believe you do, a
grateful memory. How many problems had we to
discuss, how many ideals had we to satisfy, and how
much ambition had we to fulfil! I think you, at least,
have gone far to fulfil all yours, who have written your
name indelibly in the literature of our generation.
That name I am, after the long lapse¹ of years, prefixing
to this book of stories, in the hope that they
will interest you, and as a testimony² to the enduring
quality of our friendship.

Yours always,

H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON.

  January 1906

1 lapse   

n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效

参考例句：

• The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.这一事故被看作是一次严重的安全疏忽。
• I had a lapse of memory.我记错了。

2 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。