She said no more but got out paper and pencil. She was backward in all schooling at this time, and could only print. However, she sat down at the table beside her father and went to work. It proved a very difficult task to her, but she persevered until she finished. Most of the correctly spelled words she learned from her father.
This is what she wrote:
"To dukes master duke has puppies wood you like a pup i havent thanked you for duke but i love duke very much and think you a nice man to give duke to me
"your little friend
"Beth davenport."
She put the note in an envelope and sealed it. Then she said to her father:
"Papa, will you give this to Mr. Brown? He's to have one of Duke's puppies if he wants it."
Mr. Davenport delivered the note as desired.
The next afternoon, Beth saw a buggy turn in at their place, and presently she discerned Mr. Brown within it. She waited, half-bashful, until he drove up.
He leaped from the buggy and raised his hat. Beth was delighted because in every way he seemed so much improved.
"I've come for the puppy."
"It's in the barn, I'll get it for you," cried Beth, running there as fast as she could.