Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/64

60 back. I should have got this yesterday. I am going to write to Washington concerning his delinquency."

Major Taylor fingered the envelope curiously, looking slyly at his daughters, who could not conceal their interest in the salmon pink, highly scented letter. Even Spot looked up from his paper with some show of curiosity. The old man started to open it and then put it aside, a teasing smile on his face. He picked up the other mail and went on examining it leisurely.

"I fancy that letter is from some lady who has known me in former years. How would you children like a stepmother?"

Myra and Evelyn looked shocked and uneasy and Spottswood opened his eyes wide in astonishment. Could their father be joking? It was quite possible he might do such a foolish thing if only to tease his family.

The Major was enjoying himself.

"You need not worry," he laughed. "I am particular. I would not marry anybody who would marry me—certainly not a lady who wrote on such vile-smelling pink paper."

He waited until his family settled themselves to their various mail and then with a great rustling and rattling began opening the offensive letter. They were all attention in a mo-