The boys gave three cheers for her when they saw them.
Did Elsie tell you that I have invented a new machine?
It is called
'The Intellectual Peach Parer.'
There is a place to hold a book while you pare the peaches.
It is very convenient.
I don't think of any thing else to tell you.
Cecy has got home, and is going to have a party next week.
She's grown up now, she says, and she wears her hair quite different.
It's a great deal thicker than it used to be.
Elsie says it's because there are rats in it; but I don't believe her.
Elsie has got a new friend.
Her name is Helen Gibbs.
She's quite pretty.
"Your affectionate brother, Dorry."
P.S.—John wants to put in a note."
John's note was written in a round hand, as easy to read as print.
"Dear Clover,—I am well, and hope you are the same.
I wish you would write me a letter of my own.
I go to school with Elsie now.
We write compossizions.
They are hard to write.
We don't go up into the loft half so much as we used to when you ware at home.
Mrs. Worrett came to dinner last week.
She says she ways two hundred and atey pounds.
I should think it would be dredful to way that.
I only way 76.
My head comes up to the mark on the door where you ware mesured when you ware twelve.
Isn't that tal?
Good-bye.
I send a kiss to Katy.
Your loving
"John."
After they had finished this note, Katy went away, leaving Clover to open Clarence's letter by herself.
It was not so well written or spelt as Dorry's by any means.
"Dear Clover,—Don't forget what you promised.
I mene about not showing this.
And don't tell Lilly I rote.
If you do, she'll be as mad as hops.
I haven't been doing much since you went away.
School begun yesterday, and I am glad; for it's awfully dull now that you girls have gone.
Mother says Guest has got flees on him, so she won't let him come into the house any more.
I stay out in the barn with him insted.
He is well, and sends you a wag of his tail.
Jim and me are making him a colar. It is black, with G.P. on it, for Guest Page, you know.
A lot of the boys had a camping out last week.
I went.
It was real jolly; but ma wouldn't let me stay all night, so I lost the best part.
They roasted scullpins for supper, and had a bon-fire.
The camp was on Harstnet Hill.