This, which both the Colonel and Letty thought a grand composition, was despatched to Shrewsbury by Tom Battercake. Tom returned within an hour or two, with a missive. The Colonel sent for Letty to the library to read it. It was written with a fine pointed pen, upon delicately tinted paper with a handsome crest. It ran thus:
Dear Corbin:
You always were the most impractical man about money I ever knew. I shall do as I please with my own.
"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.
