When I say right away that I gladly and cordially return to you the manuscript in question, I must still allow myself to add a few words.
To your son, in light of the vast body of your work, possession of this scene cannot be as valuable as it is to me—who, though not truly a collector, still likes to preserve manuscripts that are dear to me. I do not collect “curiosities.”
I almost feel obliged to respond more thoroughly to your letter—but I must also fear that misunderstandings can in no case be avoided. For, if you will allow, the saying about “eating cherries” is hardly more aptly applied than in the case of someone like me in relation to someone like you. Perhaps it is quite convenient to you now that I can no longer believe I ever gave you a gift.
In that case, let me say this: if you rob my manuscript collection of a treasure, it would greatly please me if my library were enriched by one more of your works—perhaps Die Meistersinger.
With the highest respect and admiration,
Your very devoted
Johannes Brahms