This is the longest letter I have written since I took to my bed; indeed I believe it is the longest I ever wrote.—Your loving AUNT V. XXXVIII SEPTIMUS TRIBE TO VERENA RABY MY DEAR SISTER,—I was grieved to learn from a third party that you are no better; indeed rather worse. Letitia and I were hoping that every day showed improvement. In the possibility that one deterrent cause may be too much thought, it has occurred to us that the presence in the house, to be called upon whenever needed, of a soothing voice, might be a great solace and aid. Such a voice transmitting the words of the poets, the philosophers or even the romancers, could not but distract the mind of the listener from her own anxieties and gradually induce repose. Letitia, to whom I have been reading for some years, will tell you—with more propriety than I can—how melodious and sonorous an organ is mine. You have but to say the word and it is at your service.—I am, your affectionate brother-in-law, SEPTIMUS TRIBE XXXIX ANTOINETTE ROSSITER TO HER MOTHER DEAREST MUMMY,—When you come home you will find another baby here, only it isn’t a real baby, it’s a puppy. A spaniel. Mr. Hawkes gave it to us and he says we are to own it together so that each of us has a bit. He says I am to have its stomach and mouth, which means I have got to feed it, and Cyril is to have its front legs and ears, and Lobbie its hind legs and tail, and its tongue is to belong to us all. I have told Cyril that you and Daddy ought to have an ear each but he won’t give them up. The ears of a spaniel are the nicest part, next to the lips. It is a girl and Mr. Hawkes says that this means that when it grows up it will be fondest of Cyril. We have named it Topsy because it is a girl and black. Do come home soon and see it.—Your everlastingly loving TONY x x x x x x x x x x XL NESTA ROSSITER TO SEPTIMUS TRIBE DEAR UNCLE SEPTIMUS,—Aunt Verena asks me to thank you for your kind offer, but to say that a trained reader has already been secured. With love to Aunt Letitia,—I am, yours sincerely, NESTA ROSSITER XLI HAZEL BARRANCE TO VERENA RABY