“Dear Aunt Rebecca,” she said. “I am well. I got here very well. Anna Mary is kind; she was a twin, and the other one was called Mary Anna. Aunt Alida is prettier than any picture in all the magazines. She is so kind I love her most to death. Natalie is pretty; Alys is light like me. There is a kitten that is lovely named Poppy because her hind legs sorter pop up when she jumps. I don’t know about Dirk. The house is so beautiful that words could never tell, you couldn’t think what it was like. Fairies never had such a house. I’ve got more lovely clothes than a princess and a maid all my own. Her name is Freedah--I don’t know if that is right spelling. The house is all over servants everywhere. You wouldn’t wonder. Anybody would want to be a servant here. There is an ellyvator like my garnet ring box. My room is blue velvet and wood-fire and silk quilt and comforter--you never saw such a house. My love to Janie and all the girls. I will write them if I can. In New York you can’t write, I guess. My love to Tabby. My love to Ella Lowndes; tell her I have a whole maid to help me, all my own. My love to Miss Tappan. My love to you. I hope you are well. I shall be perfectly good for I ought to be because everybody makes me in a fairy story. Your loving niece, Elizabeth Bristead. P. S. New York is very bright. The cab that took us here is run by something without horses and a man up behind to steer. It is very strange. From Beth.” Beth hastily put her letter into its envelope, and ran back to Natalie’s room. She found both her cousins in their wrappers, Natalie having her hair arranged, Alys waiting her turn and both eating chocolates. Dirk bounced up behind Beth as she started to go in and made her jump. “Go away, Dirk; we don’t want you,” cried Natalie. “Go straight away,” added Alys. Dirk grinned and entered behind Beth. “I’m going to have some candy, too; I heard what you told Beth,” he said. “And _she_ wants me.” He looked wickedly at Beth, whose face plainly declared her opinion of his intrusion. “May I direct my letter with ink? I haven’t any. And when does the mail go out?” Beth asked. Dirk promptly stood on his head. “Whoop-ee!” he shouted. “The mail go out!” “Dirk!” said Natalie sharply. “We put our letters in the mail boxes, Beth, and we don’t know when they go out; they are taken up every--oh, often; I don’t know when. And you will find ink in my desk over there. Alys, help Beth.” Alys lazily arose and showed Beth where to find what she wanted. “Célie, prennez cette lettre avec les autres,” she said to the maid. Her French was not equal to Natalie’s, but it made Beth feel quite overcome to find her cousins speaking another tongue. “Do you love to dance?” asked Alys suddenly. “I don’t know how,” admitted Beth sadly. “We’ll teach you,” said Natalie quickly. “Alys, Célie is ready for you now. Take a chocolate, my dear Beth; take a handful. Come with me and help me get into my gown. I’m going to hurry dressing to-night.”