Chapter XXIV: A Bread-And-Butter Letter

Milton, Va., August 3, 19--.

Dear Tuckers:

How can I ever tell you what a good time I have
had with you? Maybe you know already by the
glowing countenance I must have presented for the
last month, only I can't believe it is really a
month, it went flying by so fast. It took June
tenants going out of Mrs. Rand's cottage and
August tenants coming in to convince me that July
was really gone, and still I don't see where it
went.

Father met me at Milton, driving the colt as
usual, only the colt is getting to be quite a
staid and respectable roadster. Father says a
country doctor's horse that can stay skittish very
long is a wonder, with all of the hard driving he
is forced to give him. He still shies at
automobiles, but I truly believe it is nothing but
jealousy. I don't think he is in the least afraid
of them, but he thinks the automobile is snorting
and puffing at him, and like a spirited animal, he
wants to let the car know that he is perfectly
ready to fight and orders coffee and pistols for
two.

Mammy Susan was pathetically glad to see me. She
is very grieved, however, over the new freckles on
my nose and tried to make me bind cucumber
peelings on that much-abused and perfectly
inoffensive member. The dough mask is too fresh in
my memory, however, for me to get myself messed up
with anything else.

Our neighbor, Jo Winn, was at the station and in
his shy, husky voice actually had the spunk to
inquire after Dee. He says his cousin, Mr.
Reginald Kent, is making good in New York, and in
every letter he writes he has something to say of
the deer hunt and the wonderful Miss Tucker who
shot the stag. His sister, Sally Winn, is at her
old trick of trying to die. It is her midnight
hurry calls that have tamed the colt, so Father
declares.

Bracken is looking very lovely and peaceful. Some
of Father's old-maid cousins have just left; they
were nice, soft ones, so Father really enjoyed
having them. Next week Cousin Park Garnett is
coming for her annual visitation. I told Father
about Judge Grayson and the Turkey-tail Fan and he
nearly died laughing. He says he is going to try
reading his new book of Alfred Noyes to her and
see what effect it will have on her.

Dear Cousin Sue Lee is coming tomorrow and all of
us are delighted. She is the dearest and sweetest
in the world. I do hope you will all motor down to
Bracken while she is here. You simply must get to
know one another.

Father is still regretting that he could not get
to Willoughby. I think he works too hard and he
says he knows he does, but what is a doctor to
do? The people will get sick and will send for
him.

Good-bye, my dear friends! I would feel depressed
that our wonderful vacation together is over, if I
did not have the future to look forward to and
know that I will soon be back at school with the
Tucker Twins!

Your best friend,
PAGE ALLISON.