“Nonsense,” returned Betty. “Hurry up and
read it, Carolyn.”

No criticism could have been made of the
form of this letter, written in a firm and flowing
hand. After the matter of address and date
and the more formal beginning, in which Betty
was addressed as Miss Lee, the letter ran as
follows:

***

“After so long a time, perhaps you have for-
gotten me. I was very sorry to leave the city
so suddenly, but it was necessary, in regard to
my private affairs, which I am not able to con-
fide to my friends. A letter called me away.
I packed, arranged with my landlady and the
man for whom I worked and left on the next
train. I took my books and I am trying to edu-
cate myself a little now that I am working here.
I read the best that the libraries have to offer.
Perhaps I shall be able to go to school some
time again, but it is uncertain, like my residence
here.

“So many times I have thought of the kind
gentleman, Mr. Lee, whose car I sometimes
fixed, of the sweet mother and the golden Betty
that made a lonely boy welcome on a holiday.

[[36]]

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