en._)

_Mistress_. "WOULD YOU MIND LEAVING YOUR SOPHOCLES FOR A MOMENT, MARY,
AND RUNNING TO THE POST?"]

* * * * *

TO OBEY OR NOT TO OBEY.

_8th December, 1913._

Mr. and Mrs. Melbrook request the pleasure of Mr. Hugh Melbrook's
company at the marriage of their daughter Muriel Irene with Mr.
Adolphus Smith, at St. Peter's, Hashton, on Wednesday, December 31st,
1913, at 1.30 o'clock, and afterwards at _Westlands, Hashton_.

R.S.V.P.

_9th December, 1913._

Mr. Hugh Melbrook thanks Mr. and Mrs. Melbrook for the opportunity of
being present at the wedding of their daughter Muriel Irene, but much
regrets that, owing to great pressure of work, he cannot be there.
He desires that Mr. and Mrs. Melbrook should not feel constrained to
alter their present arrangements on that account.

_26th December, 1913._

MESSRS. HALL, MARK & Co., Silversmiths.

SIRS,--Kindly despatch at once to the address given below a seasonable
wedding gift, costing no more than the amount of the enclosed postal
order. I send my card for inclusion. Whatever change there may be
please return it to me, and oblige

Yours faithfully,

H. MELBROOK.

_27th December, 1913._

H. MELBROOK, ESQ.

DEAR SIR,--We are in receipt of your esteemed favour of yesterday's
date and beg to advise you that we have this day forwarded to
the address you gave a handsome cut-glass anchovy dish with a
finely-chased silver lid and tray. We enclose the receipted bill for
the dish, which stands in our list at exactly the amount remitted by
you.

We are, dear Sir,

Yours faithfully,

HALL, MARK & Co.

_29th December, 1913._

MY DEAR HUGH.--Thank you _very, very_ much for the sweet little
butterdish. It's ripping. Do try to get down, Hugh, there's a good
boy! If you can find time to choose me such a nice present--I know
what you are, it must have taken you hours--surely you could take the
day off for once. Say yes.

In tremendous haste, and thanking you again and again,

Your affectionate cousin,

MURIEL.

P.S.--I've just heard that Mr. Parsley, who is to marry us, is very
strict about _obedient_ weddings, and I promised Geraldine I wouldn't
"obey" if she didn't. Now it's my turn. Tell me something to do.

_30th December, 1913._

MY GOOD MURIEL,--That's a caviare dish! Caviare dishes, I understood,
were all the rage just now, and here am I slaving away to be in the
fashion, and you calmly write back and