“Sir: Understanding you have imputed cowardice to my friend William Singsmall, Esquire, I call on you either to retract, or refer me to a friend. As the matter presses, I beg, on the part of William Singsmall, Esquire, that you will answer this when I return from Paris, where I am going for three weeks.
“Yours obediently, Peter Skullthick.”
“To James Flea, Esquire.”
II.
“Sir: I received your note, and went immediately into the country; but on my return to town you shall hear from me with the least possible delay.
“Yours obediently, James Flea.”
III.
“Sir: I have got your note, and will see about it.
“Yours obediently, Peter Skullthick.”
IV.
“Sir: I have waited every day at the club, from ten in the morning until twelve at night, for the last month, hoping to hear from you.