"When shall I begin with the typewriter?" asked Marian, changing the subject.
"We can begin this afternoon. I have unpacked and oiled it, so it is all ready to use."
"How soon do you think I can send a letter to papa?"
"If you are industrious and painstaking I should say you could do it in a week."
"Oh, that's not long, and he will get it long before Christmas, won't he?"
"Yes, indeed! I should think in ten days or two weeks at the furthest."
"I should like to send him something for Christmas. I never did send him anything. Don't you think it would be nice to do it?"
"I think it would be awfully nice."
Marian gave her teacher's arm a gentle shake and put her finger to her lip.
Miss Dorothy looked at her a little puzzled, then she understood. "Oh, I said awfully, didn't I? Thank you, dearie, for reminding me. What should you like to send your father?"