_To Reginald Cressingham, Esq._
DEAR SIR (OR MADAM),--Looking over our records a few days ago, we noticed
that you had not been so good a customer of ours for Seeds during
the past twelve months as you used to be; and the more we looked at
that record the more we wondered what we had done that caused you to
practically stop dealing with us.
Finally we decided to drop you a line and ask you whether you will kindly
tell us, personally, frankly, whether there is anything we have not done
that we should have done.
Unfortunately accidents will happen at times, and if one has happened in
this case we hope you will tell us about it so that we can try to put it
right the day we get your letter. IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE
WHAT THE TROUBLE IS, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MAKE IT GOOD.
Your faithful and obedient Servants,
GOODENOUGH & SONS.
* * * * *
_To Messrs. Goodenough & Sons._
DEAR SIRS,--I regret to say there _is_ a reason for discontinuing my seed
order, and I am pleased to hear you will do your best to make the trouble
good; but I am half afraid you will not be able to "put it right the day
you get my letter."
The fact is there is a European War going on just now, and it has sadly
upset our gardening plans. Instead of having eight men (counting a
husband) about the place, I am now reduced to one gardener, and he
will shortly be called up in a married group, unless the flat foot he
is assiduously cultivating softens the heart of the Exemption Tribunal.
I am sorry I have no time to tell you more about this War, but I must
now go and dig the vegetables.
Yours faithfully,