When have you heard from your father ?" "Let me see--about a week ago, I think." "Will you show me the letter ?" "Why, how inquisitive you are! What do you want to see it for ?" "I'd like to read it.

I suppose it isn't distinctly a private letter." "N-no, of course not.

But, the truth is,--I haven't got it." "What did you do with it ?" "I--I tore it up." "Was it unpleasant ?" "No, but as I had answered it,--I didn't need to keep it." "What was in it?
Tell me,--in a general way." "Oh,--it said--he hoped I was well,--and he--he hoped you were well,--and--" "And he hoped Patty was well! and he hoped the baby was well,--yes,--and after those polite hopes, what else did he say ?" "Why,--why, I don't know,--I guess that was about all." "Oh, it was! Why didn't he tell you something about himself?
What he was doing,--or going to do ?" "I don't know.

Papa isn't very much of a letter writer." "Well, he used to be! It was his special forte.

I've had letters from him a dozen pages long.