One morning a letter arrived from Mr. Harding at last. Mousey's face lit up with pleasure as she scanned the opening lines; but she paled as she read what followed. This was Mr. Harding's communication:—
"MY DEAR MOUSEY,"
"I was glad to get your letter, more especially as I did not
know you meant to write, and it came as a surprise and an
unexpected pleasure. It was most gratifying to me to note
how correctly you have learnt to spell, and how nicely you
express what you have to say. Your writing, too, is most
legible—a fact I was glad to note, for, as I dare say you
have often heard me remark, I have a great objection to an
ugly, scrawling handwriting."