Mrs. Ladue smiled in reply and Sally returned to her reading. She began again at the beginning, with the "Dear Fox." "Dear Fox:" she read. She was not reading aloud. "To begin with what should come last, according to all the rules, in a woman's letter, I want to see you. It is the sole purpose of this letter to tell you that, so you need not look for the important matter in a postscript. It won't be there, for it is here. Do you know that it is nearly four years since you were here? Is there no matter in connection with my trifling affairs that will serve as an excuse--or is any excuse needed? Can't you and Henrietta come on for a long visit? I know the engagements of a doctor--such a doctor, Fox!--are heavy and that I am very selfish to ask it. Sally would be as glad as I should be to see you both here, I am sure. I will ask her to add a few lines to this when she comes in. She has not got back from school yet. "Sally seems to be quite happy in her teaching. I remember when she got her first month's salary--she got a position right away, with Mr. MacDalie--she came flying into the house and met Uncle John in the hall--I was halfway down the stairs--and threw her arms around his neck. The dear old man was startled, as he might well have been. I may have told you all this before. If I have, don't read it. Well, he was startled, as I said, but he smiled his lovely, quiet smile. "'Bless me, Sally!' he said. 'What's happened? What's the matter?' "'This is the matter,' she cried, waving something about, somewhere behind his ear. 'I've got my salary. And it's all my own and the first money I ever earned in my whole life.' "The dear old man smiled again--or rather he hadn't stopped smiling. 'Bless your heart!' he said. 'What a terribly long time to wait, isn't it? But it's hardly true that it is the first money you ever earned. The first you ever were paid, perhaps, but you've been earning it for years, my dear, for years.' "Sally kissed him. 'I'm afraid you're partial, Uncle John. But do you know what I'm going to do with my munificent salary?' "Uncle John shook his head. "'I should like to pay it to you, on account,' said Sally. 'Oh, I'm not going to,' she added hastily, seeing that he looked hurt, 'but I'm going to pay for all my clothes, after this, and mother's and Charlie's. I'm afraid it won't do much more, yet awhile, but give us pocket-money.' "'Very well, Sally, if that will give you pleasure,' said Uncle John. 'I like to pay for your clothes, my dear, but just as you please.' "Those are sentiments which a girl does not often hear. Have you, perhaps, said to somebody--but I won't ask. Sally's salary is enough to do much more than pay for our clothes now.