Chapter III

Letter from Mrs James Anthony (nee Miss Dorothy Venables) to her brother Richard Venables:

Dear Dick--What _have_ you been doing to Uncle John? Jim and I are stopping for a fortnight with father, and have just come in for the whole thing. Uncle John--_isn't_ he a horrible man?--says you were grossly insolent to him when he went down to see you. _Do_ write and tell me all about it. I have heard no details as yet. Father refuses to give them, and gets simply _furious_ when the matter is mentioned. Jim said at dinner last night that a conscientious boy would probably feel bound to be rude to Uncle John. Father said 'Conscience be--'; I forget the rest, but it was awful. Jim says if he gets any worse we shall have to sit on his head, and cut the traces. He is getting so dreadfully _horsey_. Do write the very minute you get this. I want to know all about it.--Your affectionate sister, _Dorothy_