169. From a Gentleman Asking Permission of a Lady to Address Her by Her Christian Name.
M——, September 8, 19—.
My Dear Eleanor:—
You see I venture to call you by your given name. If in thus expressing myself toward you I take undue liberty, I beg you to reprove me, and I shall humbly return to the more formal address. I think of you so often that I seem to have known you a very long time.
Am working hard every day and until late in the evening, and I have not yet had time to read the book you speak of. I have drawn it, however, from the library, and I promise myself the pleasure of reading it Sunday afternoon.
I feel almost ready to apologize for the length of my last letter. It seemed as if I couldn't make you understand my friend Gunther's difficulties, without the dull details of the peculiar circumstances. I thank you for the consideration you gave the matter. He is trying your plan.
Am very glad your mother is better.
Your friend as ever,
Phillip Harris.