`Mr. Smith prefers that you remain at Lock Willow.
               `Yours truly,
                           `Elmer H. Griggs.’

I hate your secretary.  I am certain that a man named Elmer H. Griggs must be horrid.  But truly, Daddy, I think I shall have to go to Boston.  I can’t stay here.  If something doesn’t happen soon, I shall throw myself into the silo pit out of sheer desperation.

Mercy! but it’s hot.  All the grass is burnt up and the brooks are dry and the roads are dusty.  It hasn’t rained for weeks and weeks.

This letter sounds as though I had hydrophobia, but I haven’t.  I just want some family.

Goodbye, my dearest Daddy. 
                           I wish I knew you. 
                                               Judy

Lockwillow,
19th September
Dear Daddy,

Something has happened and I need advice.  I need it from you,

and from nobody else in the world.  Wouldn’t it be possible for me to see you?  It’s so much easier to talk than to write; and I’m afraid your secretary might open the letter. 
                                           Judy

PS.  I’m very unhappy.

Lockwillow,
3rd October
Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

Your note written in your own hand—­and a pretty wobbly hand!—­ came this morning.  I am so sorry that you have been ill; I wouldn’t have bothered you with my affairs if I had known.  Yes, I will tell you the trouble, but it’s sort of complicated to write, and very private.  Please don’t keep this letter, but burn it.

Before I begin—­here’s a cheque for one thousand dollars.  It seems funny, doesn’t it, for me to be sending a cheque to you?  Where do you think I got it?

I’ve sold my story, Daddy.  It’s going to be published serially in seven parts, and then in a book!  You might think I’d be wild with joy, but I’m not.  I’m entirely apathetic.  Of course I’m glad to begin paying you—­I owe you over two thousand more.  It’s coming in instalments.  Now don’t be horrid, please, about taking it, because it makes me happy to return it.  I owe you a great deal more than the mere money, and the rest I will continue to pay all my life in gratitude and affection.

And now, Daddy, about the other thing; please give me your most worldly advice, whether you think I’ll like it or not.

You know that I’ve always had a very special feeling towards you; you sort of represented my whole family; but you won’t mind, will you, if I tell you that I have a very much more special feeling for another man?  You can probably guess without much trouble who he is.  I suspect that my letters have been very full of Master Jervie for a very long time.