`` I know Felicity is wondering why I 'm writing such a long letter , so perhaps I 'd better stop . If your mother reads it to you there is a good deal of it she may not understand , but I think your Aunt Jane would . `` I remain `` your very affectionate friend , `` SARA STANLEY . '' I did not keep a copy of my own letter , and I have forgotten everything that was in it , except the first sentence , in which I told Peter I was awful glad he was getting better . Peter 's delight on receiving our letters knew no bounds . He insisted on answering them and his letter , painstakingly disinfected , was duly delivered to us . Aunt Olivia had written it at his dictation , which was a gain , as far as spelling and punctuation went . But Peter 's individuality seemed merged and lost in Aunt Olivia 's big , dashing script . Not until the Story Girl read the letter to us in the granary by jack-o-lantern light , in a mimicry of Peter 's very voice , did we savour the real bouquet of it . PETER 'S LETTER `` DEAR EVERYBODY , BUT ESPECIALLY FELICITY : -- I was awful glad to get your letters . It makes you real important to be sick , but the time seems awful long when you 're getting better . Your letters were all great , but I liked Felicity 's best , and next to hers the Story Girl 's . Felicity , it will be awful good of you to send me things to eat and the rosebud plate . I 'll be awful careful of it . I hope you wo n't catch the measles , for they are not nice , especially when they strike in , but you would look all right , even if you did have red spots on your face . I would like to try the Mexican Tea , because you want me to , but mother says no , she does n't believe in it , and Burtons Bitters are a great deal healthier . If I was you I would get the velvet hood all right . The heathen live in warm countries so they do n't want hoods . `` I 'm glad you are still praying for me , Cecily , for you ca n't trust the measles . And I 'm glad you 're keeping you know what for me .
I do n't believe anything will happen XXXXX you if you do take the measles ; but if anything does I 'd like that little red book of yours , The Safe Compass , just to remember you by .
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