Come here, colleen, come to Virginia.

Write to me, on the day you get this letter, that you're coming soon.

Let it be soon, because I feel the cords binding me to my beloved fields growing thinner.

They'll soon crack, but, please God, they won't crack before you come here.
Now with my love to you and Sheila I stretch out my hand to you.
Take it.

All that it is has worked for is yours; all that it wants is you.
Your loving brother, BRYAN.
As Sheila read, the tears started from her eyes; and at last she could read no longer, so her mother took the letter and read the rest of it aloud.