My dear father,—­

Can it be true that Georgey is thinking of marrying that horrid vulgar Jew, old Brehgert?  The fellows say so; but I can’t believe it.  I’m sure you wouldn’t let her.  You ought to lock her up.

   Yours affectionately,

   A. Longestaffe.

Dolly’s letters made his father very angry, as, short as they were, they always contained advice or instruction, such as should come from a father to a son, rather than from a son to a father.  This letter had not been received with a welcome.  Nevertheless the head of the family had thought it worth his while to make use of it, and had sent it to Caversham in order that it might be shown to his rebellious daughter.

And...