Why do you sit there on the floor so quiet and silent, tell me,

mother dear?

The rain is coming in through the open window, making you all

wet, and you don't mind it.

Do you hear the gong striking four? It is time for my brother

to come home from school.

What has happened to you that you look so strange?

Haven't you got a letter from father today?

I saw the postman bringing letters in his bag for almost

everybody in the town.

Only father's letters he keeps to read himself. I am sure the

postman is a wicked man.

But don't be unhappy about that, mother dear.

Tomorrow is market day in the next village. You ask your maid

to buy some pens and papers.

I myself will write all father's letters; you will not find

a single mistake.

I shall write from A right up to K.

But, mother, why do you smile?

You don't believe that I can write as nicely as father does!

But I shall rule my paper carefully, and write all the letters

beautifully big.

When I finish my writing do you think I shall be so foolish

as father and drop it into the horrid postman's bag?

I shall bring it to you myself without waiting, and letter by

letter help you to read my writing.

I know the postman does not like to give you the really nice

letters