"About everything seems to conspire to keep me from seeing you; business--in a measure,--social duties; and, to tell the truth, a mistaken but strenuous opposition on my mother's part.
"She doesn't know you, and refuses to. But she knows me, and ought to infer everything delightful in the girl who has become my friend. Because she knows that I don't, and never did affect the other sort.
[Illustration: "He rather liked being with his own sort again."]
"Every day, recently, she has asked me whether I have seen you. To avoid unpleasant discussions I haven't gone to see you. But I am going to as soon as this unreasonable alarm concerning us blows over.
"It seems very deplorable to me that two young people cannot enjoy an absolutely honest friendship unsuspected and undisturbed.
"I miss you a lot. Is the apartment comfortable? Does Michael do everything you wish? Did the cat prove a good one? I sent for the best Angora to be had from the Silver Cloud Cattery.
"Now tell me, Athalie, what can I do for you? _Please!_ What is it you need; what is it you would like to have? Are you saving part of your salary?
"Tell me also what you do with yourself after business hours. Have you seen any shows? I suppose you go out with your sisters now and then.
"As for me I go about more or less. For a while I didn't: business seemed to revive and everybody in real estate became greatly excited. But it all simmered down again to the usual routine. So I've been going about to various affairs, dances and things. And, consequently, there's peace and quiet at home for me. "Always yours, "C BAILEY, JR."
"P.S. As I sit here writing you the desire seizes me to drop my pen, put on my hat and coat and go to see you. But I can't. There's a dinner on here, and I've got to stay for it. Good night, dear Athalie! "CLIVE."
"Your letter has troubled me so much. If your mother feels that way about me, what are we to do? Is it right for us to see each other?
"It is true that I am not conscious of any wrong in seeing you and in being your friend. I know that I never had an unworthy thought concerning you. And I feel confident that your thoughts regarding our friendship and me are blameless. Where lies the wrong?
"_Some_ aspects of the affair _have_ troubled me lately. Please do not be sensitive and take offence, Clive, if I admit to you that I never have quite reconciled myself to accepting anything from you.