DEAR JOE:

Thank you so much for the tie--it is pretty and I do wear ties
sometimes, so I sha'n't let the boys have it.

You must think me rather ungrateful not writing before, but I
have been out the last two evenings and have had no time for
letters. Yesterday Mother and I went to Birmingham as I had my
half-term holiday.

I hope you managed to get some tea after writing to me, otherwise
I shall feel so grieved to think I was the cause of your
starvation. By the way, I read your latest poem and I don't like
it--not that that will trouble you much I'm sure. The idea isn't
at all bad, but that's all I like about it.

I haven't a bit of news, and I have just found out it is too late
to catch the post to-night, so you will have to wait a little
longer for this precious letter--it will be precious, won't it?

Charlie has just come home from his class, so I must bring his
food for him. Daddy's lumbago is better, I'm glad to say.

Good-night, and with many thanks

I remain
Yours,
KATHLEEN.

Excuse this scrawl, but the pen's groggy.