most as pleased as we are over this happy event, and I can
almost see your sweet face light up with its wonderful smile as you read
this.

Second, I am engaged to be married some day, if I can ever find time.
_Her_ name is Marion Treville and she is very good and kind, and every
one thinks she is very beautiful, too.

I hope that you have by this time received the little friendship box
which I sent to you and your grandfather. The dress is a present from
Muriel, who loves your basket more than any of her toys, and continually
speaks of you as her "dear friend Smiles"; the hair ribbon is from Mike
and the book from

Your sincere friend,
Donald MacDonald.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

VI

Webb's Gap
January 7, 1913.

Dear Dr. MacDonald:

When I tell you that there has been a great deal of trouble here, you
will understand why I have not written you long before this, to thank
you for those lovely Christmas presents.

Grandfather was delighted with his tobacco, although he has not smoked
it yet, and all my gifts made me very happy. The dress dear little
Muriel sent me is so lovely that I don't believe I shall ever dare to
wear it, especially as, when grandfather saw me in it, he looked so
sorrowful as he said, 'Hit's powerful purty, but hit haint my Smiles no
more,' that he almost made me cry. I wonder if I can really ever leave
him? He needs me very much now.

Oh, I was so happy for all of you when I read about Muriel having a dear
little baby brother. I sat right down and wrote a verse. The reverend
helped me with some of the words, but still I'm afraid that it is not
very good and I am afraid you will laugh at it. It is the best I can do
now, and I guess I will send it to you in this letter.

Now I must tell you that your friend, my grandfather, has been very sick
since Christmas. The doctor from Fayville has been to see him several
times and he says the trouble is--I know that you will laugh at me now,
but I can only write what it sounds like to me--'Aunt Jina pecks her
wrist.' He has pains in his heart and has to keep very still, which he
does not like to do, so I am the nurse and, whenever I feed him, or give
him the medicine