At Christmas time a bulky letter and a little purple box came addressedto them, bearing the postmark of Bournemouth.

The brothers seized their letter with undiluted joy; it was addressedin a bold, masculine hand, a lawyer's undoubtedly--a striking thoughperhaps not conclusive proof that Aunt Patience had winged her flight.

They were a little bit disappointed that it had not yellow edges--theyhad always imagined that the "blow" would come with yellow edges.

Reginald opened it, read it, and let it fall to the floor.

Randolph opened it, read it, and let it fall to the floor.