I think this is best, and I have good advice.

I want to see more of young people of my own age, and I have a friend, Mr.
Gridley, who I think is older than you are, that takes an interest in me; and as you have many others that you must be interested in, he can take the place of a father better than you can do.

I return to you the hymn-book, I read one of those you marked, and do not care to read any more.
Respectfully yours, MYRTLE HAZARD.
The Rev.Mr.Stoker uttered a cry of rage as he finished this awkwardly written, but tolerably intelligible letter.

What could he do about it?
It would hardly do to stab Myrtle Hazard, and shoot Byles Gridley, and strangle Mrs.Hopkins, every one of which homicides he felt at the moment that he could have committed.

And here he was in a frantic paroxysm, and the next day was Sunday, and his morning's discourse was unwritten.