CHAPTER XXIV.

A BREAD-AND-BUTTER LETTER.

Milton, Va., August 3, 19--.

Dear Tuckers:

How can I ever tell you what a good time I have

had with you? Maybe you know already by the

glowing countenance I must have presented for the

last month, only I can't believe it is really a

month, it went flying by so fast. It took June

tenants going out of Mrs. Rand's cottage and

August tenants coming in to convince me that July

was really gone, and still I don't see where it

went.

Father met me at Milton, driving the colt as

usual, only the colt is getting to be quite a

staid and respectable roadster. Father says a

country doctor's horse that can stay skittish very

long is a wonder, with all of the hard driving he

is forced to give him. He still shies at

automobiles, but I truly believe it is nothing but

jealousy. I don't think he is in the least afraid

of them, but he thinks the automobile is snorting

and puffing at him, and like a spirited animal, he

wants to let the car know that he is perfectly

ready to fight and orders coffee and pistols for

two.

Mammy Susan was pathetically glad to see me. She

is very grieved, however, over the new freckles on

my nose and tried to make me bind cucumber

peelings on that much-abused and perfectly

inoffensive member. The dough mask is too fresh in

my memory, however, for me to get myself messed up

with anything else.

Our neighbor, Jo Winn, was at the station and in

his shy, husky voice actually had the spunk to

inquire after Dee. He says his cousin, Mr.

Reginald Kent, is making good in New York, and in

every letter he writes he has something to say of

the deer hunt and the wonderful Miss Tucker who

shot the stag. His sister, Sally Winn, is at her

old trick of trying to die. It is her midnight

hurry calls that have tamed the colt, so Father

declares.

Bracken is looking very lovely and peaceful. Some

of Father's old-maid cousins have just left; they

were nice, soft ones, so Father really enjoyed

having them. Next week Cousin Park Garnett is

coming for her annual visitation. I told Father

about Judge Grayson and the Turkey-tail Fan and he

nearly died laughing. He says he is going to try

reading his new book of Alfred Noyes to her and

see what effect it will have on her.

Dear Cousin Sue Lee is coming tomorrow and all of

us are delighted. She is the dearest and sweetest

in the world. I do hope you will all motor down to

Bracken while she is here. You simply must get to

know one another.

Father is still regretting that he could not get

to Willoughby. I think he works too hard and he

says he knows he does, but what is a doctor to

do? The people will get sick and will send for

him.

Good-bye, my dear friends! I would feel depressed

that our wonderful vacation together is over, if I

did not have the future to look forward to and

know that I will soon be back at school with the

Tucker Twins!

Your best friend,

PAGE ALLISON.

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