Jane Pendergast had been South two months, when one day Edgar received a
letter from his brother Fred.

Jane's going North [wrote Fred]. Sally says she can't have her in the
house another week. 'Course, we don't want to tell Jane exactly that--
but we've fixed it so she's going to leave.

I'm sorry if this move causes you folks any trouble, but there just
wasn't any other way out of it. You see, Sally is Southern and easy-
going, and I suppose not over-particular in the eyes of you stiff
Northerners. I don't mind things, either, and I suppose I'm easy, too.

Well, great Scott!--Jane hadn't been down here five minutes before she
began to "slick up," as she called it--and she's been "slickin' up" ever
since. Sally always left things round handy, and so've the children; but
since Jane came, we haven't been able to find a thing when we wanted it.
All our boots and shoes are put away, turned toes out, and all our hats
and coats are snatched up and hung on pegs the minute we toss them off.

Maybe this don't seem much to you, but it's lots to us. Anyhow, Jane's
going North. She says she's going to visit Edgar a little while, and I
told her I'd write and tell you she's coming. She'll be there about the
2Oth. Will wire you what train.

Your affectionate brother

FRED

As gently as possible Edgar broke to his wife the news of the