From a draft of a letter written in 1940 by Joan Murray (1917–42) to W. H. Auden (1907–73). The letter is included in Drafts, Fragments, and Poems, a collection of Murray’s poetry that will be published in January by New York Review Books. Auden selected Murray for the 1946 Yale Series of Younger Poets prize.

Dear Mr. Wystan Auden:

I was up to a rather off pursuit this last month and a half. I remember trying to tell you about it last season, and you said, Oh, Boy Scout stuff! and left me slightly nonplussed. I shall tell you now.…