“Most curt and unhandsome,” cried the Colonel, flushing angrily. “What
does he take me for? I shall at once express my sentiments in writing
regarding this extraordinary communication from Romaine.”
“No, grandpapa,” cried Letty, who agreed with the Colonel in thinking
Mr. Romaine’s letter extremely impertinent, “I’ll answer it.”
Once in a while Letty had her way, and this was one of the occasions.
She sat down at the library table, and, with the angry blood mantling
her face, dashed off the following to Mr. Romaine.
“Just listen to this, if you please,” she cried, flourishing her pen in
dangerous proximity to the Colonel’s nose. “I think Mr. Romaine will
find that he has got a Roland for his Oliver.”
Then, in a melodramatic voice, she read: