Page:Collingwood - Life and Letters of Lewis Carroll.djvu/37

 child listened to what his father said, and appeared to think it irrelevant, for he still insisted, "But, please, explain!"

On one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Dodgson went to Hull, to pay a visit to the latter's father, who had been seriously ill. From Hull Mrs. Dodgson wrote to Charles, and he set much store by this letter, which was probably one of the first he had received. He was afraid that some of his little sisters would mess it, or tear it up, so he wrote upon the back, "No one is to touch this note, for it belongs to C. L. D."; but, this warning appearing insufficient, he added, "Covered with slimy pitch, so that they will wet their fingers." The precious letter ran as follows:—

—I have used you rather ill in not having written to you sooner, but I know you will forgive me,