Part 117

The wearing of the flowers would be all the answer required by this note.

With a birthday gift an appropriately worded note would be as follows:

AT HOME, August 1st.

DEAR NETTIE:

Remembering that your birthday is at hand, I send you this little painting as a token of my love, together with wishes for many happy returns of this day.

Your friend,

MARIE ST. JOHN.

These little notes should always receive an answer, as, for instance, this last might be appropriately replied to thus:

632 CORSON STREET, August 2. 189-.

MY DEAR MARIE:

You cannot think with what delight I received your beautiful birthday gift, rendered tenfold dearer by the knowledge that it is the handiwork of my friend. With many thanks,

I am, as ever, yours,

NETTIE D. CATON.

Notes of Apology

are a frequent necessity. They should be written with promptness, evince a repentant spirit, and should be acknowledged pleasantly and forgivingly. Always remember in such a note to explain the cause rendering the apology necessary. For instance, an unfulfilled engagement might be apologized for thus:

DEAR MISS MASON:

I cannot sufficiently regret that I was unfortunately prevented from keeping my engagement to drive with you on Wednesday. An important telegram, received but a moment before the time set for our "outing," left me but a brief five minutes to catch the first train for R----, where affairs, permitting no delay, awaited my attention.

Dare I hope that I have your pardon for so great a seeming negligence?

Very respectfully yours,

JOHN H. CURRAN.

This note being written in the first person will be replied to in the same manner by the recipient:

MR. CURRAN (or, DEAR MR. CURRAN, according to the degree of familiarity):

I accept your apology as quite sufficient, and beg that you will give yourself no further uneasiness over so unavoidable an occurrence.

I am, sincerely,

GERTRUDE MASON.

Notes of Postponement

are always to be sent when the necessity arises for deferring any social gathering. Write them promptly, and explain the unavoidable reasons for the postponement; for example:

DEAR MRS. BRIGGS: