BEN. BEN DOOLITTLE TO POLLY BOLES _July 14._ DEAR POLLY: It occurs to me just at the moment that not for some days have I heard you speak of your racked--or wrecked--nerve specialist. Has he learned to control his microscopic attachment? Has he found an antidote for the bacillus of his anaemic love? Polly, my woman, if he is still bothering you, let me know at once. It has been my joy hitherto to share your troubles; henceforth it is my privilege to take them on two uncrushable shoulders. At the drop of your hat I'll even meet him in your flat any night you say, and we'll all compete for the consequences. I. s. y. s. r. r. (You have long since learned what that means.) Your man, BEN D. POLLY BOLES TO BEN DOOLITTLE _July 15._ DEAREST BEN: You need not give another thought to Dr. Mullen. He does not annoy me any more. He can drop finally out of our correspondence. Not an hour these days but my thoughts hover about you. Never so vividly as now does there rise before me the whole picture of our past--of all these years together. And I am ever thinking of the day to which we both look forward as the one on which our paths promise to blend and our lives are pledged to meet. Your devoted POLLY. BEVERLEY SANDS TO JUDD & JUDD _July 16._ DEAR SIRS: Yesterday while walking along the street I found my attention most favourably drawn to the appearance of your business establishment: to the tubs of plants at the entrance, the vines and flowers in the windows, and the classic Italian statuary properly mildewed. Therefore I venture to write. Do you know anything about ferns, especially Kentucky ferns? Do you ever collect them and ship them? I wish to place an order for some Kentucky ferns to be sent to England. I had a list of those I desired, but this has been mislaid, and I should have to rely upon the shipper to make, out of his knowledge, a collection that would represent the best of the Kentucky flora. Could you do this? One more question, and you will please reply clearly and honestly. I notice that your firm speak of themselves as landscape architects. This leads me to inquire whether you have ever had any connection with Botany. You may not understand the question and you are not required to understand it: I simply request you to answer it. Very truly yours, BEVERLEY SANDS. JUDD & JUDD TO BEVERLEY SANDS _July 17._ DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favour to hand. We gather and ship ferns and other plants, subject to order, to any address, native or foreign, with the least possible delay, and we shall be pleased to execute any commission which you may entrust to us. With reference to your other inquiry, we ask leave to state that we have never had the slightest connection with any other concern doing business in the city under the firm-name of Botany. We do not even find them in the telephone directory. Awaiting your courteous order, we are