The same peculiar quick-step carried Miss Billy to her desk, where, dipping a battered-looking pen into the ink, she began:—
"1902 Ashurst Place.
"Dearly Beloved:
"I suppose you're just going to bed over in Cologne, with your hair done up in those funny little curl papers of yours. Or don't they wear curl papers in 'furrin' countries? What kind of a place is Cologne, anyway? Do they make Lundborg's Extract there, and are the exports 'grain, grapes and beet sugar,' as the geography used to say?
"Over here in America I am waiting for Maggie to arise and prepare our frugal repast, which, from sundry soaked articles I saw last night, I suspect will mainly consist of fish-balls. Maggie feels that she has not lived in vain when she succeeds in getting Theodore to refuse codfish-balls. It is the only article of food that he does not fall upon with fork and glee.
"Speaking of balls, I went to one last night, only to look on, however. Beatrice's dancing class gave one of their monthly parties, and I was one of the smaller fry (notice the connection between fry and codfish-balls) whom they deigned to invite. Those pale-drab Blanchard girls were conducting the services—(it's well that father doesn't inspect my correspondence)—so it's a wonder that I 'got in' at all, for they detest me. I might add that the tender sentiment is entirely reciprocated on my part! I wore my old grey crêpe, and looked superbly magnificent, as of course you know, Peggy dear. Tom Furnis, who was there, also occupying a modest and retiring seat in the rear, mentioned to me during the evening that as soon as you came home we would have a dancing class of our own. So you see how everything hangs on your return.
"Nothing has happened at 'Miss Peabody's Select School for Young Ladies' since you left except that I have received numerous invitations to select little functions in the office, and a choice assortment of demerit marks, and carried home the following report last month:
'Miss Lee's immediate improvement in deportment is earnestly desired by
'Her instructor and sincere friend,
'Loutilda Amesbury Peabody.'