love letter by James Joyce

My dear Nora,

It has just struck me. I came in at half past
eleven. Since then I have been sitting in an easy chair like a fool. I could do
nothing. I hear nothing but your voice. I am like a fool hearing you call me
‘Dear.’ I offended two men today by leaving them coolly. I wanted to hear your
voice, not theirs.

When I am with you I leave aside my contemptuous,
suspicious nature. I wish I felt your head on my shoulder. I think I will go to
bed.

I have been a half-hour writing this thing. Will you write something
to me? I hope you will. How am I to sign myself? I won’t sign anything at all,
because I don’t know what to sign myself.

James Joyce
15 August,
1904