"Give my love to all the saints and especially to dear Sister Maddon.
"Write to me soon and tell me all the 'doings' of the Mission. God bless you in your wonderful devotion.
"Your brother in the Gospel,
"Walter Hallock."
"What a cool, ordinary letter!" thought Venna as she re-read his letter for the twentieth time.
She was dressing to go out for a ride with Mrs. Maddon who had phoned to her in the morning asking her to take a few hours from her duties to ride out into the country, and "we will have a good old chat," she had added.
Dear Mrs. Maddon! How Venna loved this cheerful friend. In spite of herself, Venna always brightened in her company. Yes, an afternoon with her would be refreshing.
As the bell announced her coming Venna quickly folded Walter's letter and tucked it away in her waist. In true womanly fashion, she carried that first letter always with her.
Soon the two women were comfortably settled and whizzing through the hot city streets to the cool, green country without. Venna was at the wheel. She seldom had a chauffeur now, much to the disgust of her aunt and Dr. Hansom. She tried to explain that she wished to be in good practice—some day she would drive in France—but this was listened to with a smile.
Once out on almost deserted country roads, Venna slackened speed, and the two friends gazed out upon the passing panorama of sunlit fields and dark, cool woodlands with evident satisfaction.