"Dear Uncle Eden,—It is quite true. We do all want you very much. Fenton is coming, and I am afraid nobody will keep him in order, if you are not here.
"Esther."
Then Flora—
"I think we would all be very glad to see Mr. Murray. I am sure one sincerely glad would be
"Flora Franklin."
Last, Meredith—
"Dear Mr. Murray,—You know how true is all the foregoing. And yet, though I cannot suppose I should be gladder to see you than everybody else, it does seem to me that I want to see you more than any of the rest can—because I have so many questions to ask, and feel that I need so much advice. I hope you may find that you can comply with our joint earnest desire.
"Meredith Franklin."
After all were done, Maggie begged for the paper, to add a word that nobody else must see. This was what she said—
"Dear Uncle Eden,—I want to say a private word to you. I feel somehow as if it was not just exactly respectful to Meredith and Flora that they should be here with nobody but just us. Don't you think so? But if you could come, it would be all right. We are going in the woods to dinner to-day—Oh, I wish you were here!
"Maggie."
This joint epistle finished and sealed, and some other despatches for Leeds got ready, it was time to see about making preparations for the woods. Where should they go? Question the first.
"To the old Fort."