On the last reading of the letter she had
written, she decided that it was a manly, straightforward
production, which should interest and attract any girl. But how
was she to sign it? After thinking deeply for a long time, she
wrote "Philip Sanders, General Delivery," and below she added a
postscript:
To save you the trouble of inquiring among your friends as to who
Philip Sanders is, I might as well tell you in the beginning that
he isn't. He is merely an assumption under which I shall hide my
personality until you let me know whether it is possible that you
could become even slightly interested in me, as a small return
for the very deep and wholesome interest abiding in my heart for
you.
"Abiding," said Linda aloud. "It seems to me that there is
nothing in all the world quite so fine as a word. Isn't
'abiding' a good word? Doesn't it mean a lot? Where could you
find one other word that means being with you and also means
comforting you and loving you and sympathizing with you and
surrounding you with firm walls and a cushioned floor and a
starry roof? I love that word. I hope it impresses Marian with
all its wonderful meaning."
She went back to her room, put both letters into her Geometry,
and in the morning mailed them. She stood a long time hesitating
with the typewritten letter in her hand, but finally dropped it
in the letter box also.
"It will just be something," she said, "to make her think that
some man appreciates her lovely face and doesn't care if her hair
is white, and sees how steadfast and fine she is.
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