“Anyone we know?” asked Blanche.
“Yes, a gentleman.”
“Oh! tell us, father,” urged the impatient Millie.
“It’s from the Mr Thrale, as lodged with us once,” announced Gosling.
“Oh! dear, our Mr Fastidious,” commented Blanche, “I thought he was dead long ago.”
“It must be over four years since ’e left,” put in Mrs Gosling.
“Getting on for five,” corrected Blanche. “I remember I put my hair up while he was here.”
“What’s he say?” asked Millie.
“’E says, ‘Dear Mr Gosling, I expect you will be surprised to ’ear from me after my five years’ silence——’”
“I said it was five years,” put in Blanche. “Go on, dad!”