So he had written a few lines; and, in fact, he had the letter with him.

The letter was then produced, and examined by the postmistress.

If the address was in the schoolmaster's handwriting, she professed her inability to read it.

Was this a _t_ or an _l_ or an _i_?
was that a _b_ or a _d_?
This was a cruel revenge on Lizzie's part; for the sender of the letter was completely at her mercy.

The schoolmaster's name being tabooed in her presence, he was unable to explain that the writing was not his own; and as for deciding between the _t_'s and _l_'s, he could not do it.