The Pirate: And Other Children's Poems Book

I read this over 20 years ago, and I think I remember my reaction, sort of, in comparison to my present re-reading.
It was a rather condescending conversation between Collins, the author, and Hardy along with his second wife, his most ardent defender. Although this was based on the dialog of several face-to-face events which occurred almost 100 years ago, it is obvious that Hardy was in defense of the class into which he was born, and its lack of real formal education. Also, his wife was a constant attendant on his acclaim, talent, and artistry, and that is obvious in many of her statements.
I love all things to do with Thomas Hardy and have been to his childhood home on several occasions. Sometimes I was aware that his literature reflected his ardent efforts to be educated and well-read, but that sometimes can have short-comings, and one has to accept that; Hardy never did.