The following Thursday morning Captain and Mrs. Festival received two several communications by the same post.

Wednesday Evening.

Dear Gill,

I’m awfully sorry, but I’m afraid I must put you off to-morrow. I’ve had so many late nights lately that one more or less has come to matter quite a lot.

I’m sure you’ll understand.

Yours,

Kate.

Though she did not say so, Mrs. Festival had spoiled three sheets of notepaper phrasing that note.

Wednesday.

Dear Kate,