`` Now , we must write the letter and take it and the presents to her right away , before it gets dark , '' said the Story Girl . We adjourned to the granary to indite the important document , which the Story Girl was to compose . `` How shall I begin it ? '' she asked in perplexity . `` It would never do to say , ` Dear Peg , ' and ` Dear Miss Bowen ' sounds too ridiculous . '' `` Besides , nobody knows whether she is Miss Bowen or not , '' said Felicity . `` She went to Boston when she grew up , and some say she was married there and her husband deserted her , and that 's why she went crazy . If she 's married , she wo n't like being called Miss. '' `` Well , how am I to address her ? '' asked the Story Girl in despair . Peter again came to the rescue with a practical suggestion . `` Begin it , ` Respected Madam , ' '' he said . `` Ma has a letter a school trustee once writ to my Aunt Jane and that 's how it begins . '' `` Respected Madam , '' wrote the Story Girl . `` We want to ask a very great favour of you and we hope you will kindly grant it if you can . Our favourite cat , Paddy , is very sick , and we are afraid he is going to die . Do you think you could cure him ? And will you please try ? We are all so fond of him , and he is such a good cat , and has no bad habits . Of course , if any of us tramps on his tail he will scratch us , but you know a cat ca n't bear to have his tail tramped on . It 's a very tender part of him , and it 's his only way of preventing it , and he does n't mean any harm .
If you can cure XXXXX for us we will always be very , very grateful to you .
Boston Bowen Jane Paddy Peter course perplexity right tail tramps