Dart starts his letter in an impish mood. He writes the first paragraph in a kind of Russian or Eastern European accent, thanking her for the letters and the package. The sewing kit she sent was exactly what he wanted. He thinks she’ll be able to fatten him up with all the candy she sends, which is much better than what he can find on Treasure Island.

He claims that the news about his grades is not so good, but he doesn’t go into much detail. He agrees to comply with her request and talk shop less frequently. He’ll only mention whether his progress is satisfactory or “otherwise.”

How happy he is that she likes his portrait so much! “I was, by the way, wearing my best (and only) set of teeth and my best toupee. Maybe that explains the Cheshire Cat grin.”

He writes a paragraph about the infrequent exchange of letters between him and his family. Burke is starting his senior year at Shaw High School and Dart sounds like the old man, reminiscing about how recently  he and his brother were playing with toy soldiers and acting out Buck Rogers in their wagons.

Before signing off for bed, he agrees that this has been a wonderful 11 months for him, as well. He loves her so much and her letter today made him very, very happy. “Now it’s my turn to thank you for the ‘purdy’ things you say.”

Dot’s only offering today is a rushed little post card. No news, babysitting, off to work, can’t wait to get o Sunapee on Saturday, wishes Dart could come.