Page:Barbour--Peggy in the rain.djvu/58

 in good health and enjoying yourself. I saw your name in the paper again the other day, Thursday, I believe it was. It was a very sensational account of some horse racing by moonlight. I do wish, my dear boy, you would try not to get mixed up in such affairs. Doubtless it was all quite harmless, but you know the horrid way the newspapers exaggerate. As a family we have always avoided anything savoring of notoriety. When do you return North? Mr. Lovering was inquiring. I think he wants to see you about matters connected with the estate. I have put your name down for five thousand for the Chancel Fund. I hope you approve. I have had nothing but picture postcards from your sister for a fortnight. She knows how I detest the vulgar things. They are in Germany at present, I believe, although I have no authority but the postcards. Caroline has become dreadfully slipshod since her marriage. I notice it in so many ways. Hurd is suffering a great deal from rheumatism these days. The weather continues cold and damp.

Gordon was more concerned over the butler's rheumatism than anything else mentioned in the letter. Hurd and he had been chums ever since he had been big enough to ride around on the old man's shoulders. He dropped the mail into his pocket, and procured a highly colored postcard exhibiting an expanse of unnaturally green grass