The Master of the Shell | Page 2

Number 4; but he rowed stroke in his
college boat. He's having a lot of fag about our luggage, but I'm in no
hurry for it to turn up.
"How are all the fellows? I guess I'm missing a lot of fun this week.
Get some of them to keep something; till I come back. How's Tilbury?
By the way, who am I stuck with this term? I don't want to get
chummed again with that young ass Simson. Tell Moss that. Any more
rows with Bickers's lot? There will be when I come back! I've got half a
dozen of them in my eye. Gov. says I'll have to wake up this term.
What a go! If I don't scrape into the Shell at Christmas, he says he'll
know the reason why! So look out for no-larks.
"This fellow Railsford's put me up to a thing or two about mugging. He
was a hot man at Cambridge, and says he knew Grover. He's gone with
Daisy up a mountain to-day. Wanted to take me, too, but I told them I
didn't see it. I tried it once, that was enough for me! Ta-ta, old man;
keep your pecker up till I come, and then mind your eye!
"Yours truly,--
"A. Herapath, Ll.D."
Number 3.--From Miss Daisy Herapath to Miss Emily Sherriff.
"Lucerne, Tuesday.

"My Dearest Milly,--We are in such trouble! Two of our boxes have
been lost between Como and here. One of them contained my new
black grenadine with the Spanish lace. I have positively nothing to
wear; and had to appear at table d'h™te in my blue serge and one of
mamma's shawls. Just imagine! It is such a sad end to our holiday. I am
longing to get home. Travelling abroad is all very nice, but one gets
tired of it. I feel I shall like to settle down in town once more.
"Poor papa has had so much trouble with the boxes, and must, have
spent pounds in telegrams. It was really Arthur's fault. He sent the
porter who was booking the luggage for us to get him some chocolate
from the buffet, and the consequence was the train went off before all
the boxes were put in the van. Dear Milly, never travel abroad with
your young brother!
"I have been quite lazy about sketching the last few days. I can't tell
you how lovely some of the sunsets have been. It is the regular thing to
sit out in the hotel grounds and watch them. I wish so often you could
be here to share my pleasure, for papa and mamma are afraid to sit out,
and Arthur is so unpoetical! There are a great many Americans here.
The fashion of short steeves seems quite to be coming in again! I shall
have to get mine altered as soon as I come home. Some of our party
went up the Rigi to-day. The view from the top was beautiful; but the
place is spoiled by the crowds of people who go up. I so much prefer
the quieter excursions.
"I must go to bed now, dearest Milly. It will be lovely to see you soon.
When one is away from home, one feels more than ever how nice it
would be to have one's friends always about one. (What a lot of 'ones'!)
"Ever your very loving friend,--
"Daisy.
"P.S.--We met the Thompsons at Como. Did you know Edith was to be
married this autumn, quite quietly, in the country? The Walkleys are
here, and one or two other people we know. Arthur has struck up with a
Cambridge fellow, named Railsford, whom we met on the Saint

Gothard, and who took so much trouble about the luggage. It is so nice
for Arthur to have a companion. Dearest Milly, he (M.R.) was one of
the party who went up the Rigi to-day; he speaks German so well, and
is so attentive to mamma. Don't be too horribly curious, darling; I'll tell
you everything when I get home. (He is so good and handsome!)"
Number 4.--Francis Herapath, Esquire, Merchant, to James Blake,
Esquire, Solicitor.
"Private and Confidential.
"Dear Blake,--Being detained here owing to a miscarriage of some of
our luggage, I write this instead of waiting till I see you, as it may be
another week before we are home.
"During our travels my daughter has become engaged to a Mr. Mark
Railsford, apparently a very desirable and respectable young man. You
will wonder why I trouble you about such a very domestic detail. The
young gentleman was very frank and straightforward in making his
proposal, and volunteered that if I desired to make any inquiries, he
was quite sure that you, his late father's solicitor, would answer any
questions. I have no doubt, from