Yesterday Aunt Olivia wanted some ferns , so I went back to the maple woods to get them for her , and I found some lovely ones by the spring . And while I was sitting there , looking into the spring who should come along but the Awkward Man himself . He sat right down beside me and began to talk . I never was so surprised in my life . We had a very interesting talk , and I told him two of my best stories , and a great many of my secrets into the bargain . They may say what they like , but he was not one bit shy or awkward , and he has beautiful eyes . He did not tell me any of his secrets , but I believe he will some day . Of course I never said a word about his Alice-room . But I gave him a hint about his little brown book . I said I loved poetry and often felt like writing it , and then I said , ` Do you ever feel like that , Mr. Dale ? ' He said , yes , he sometimes felt that way , but he did not mention the brown book . I thought he might have . But after all I do n't like people who tell you everything the first time you meet them , like Sara Ray . When he went away he said , ' I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting you again , ' just as seriously and politely as if I was a grown-up young lady . I am sure he could never have said it if I had been really grown up . I told him it was likely he would and that he was n't to mind if I had a longer skirt on next time , because I 'd be just the same person . `` I told the children a beautiful new fairy story to-day . I made them go to the spruce wood to hear it . A spruce wood is the proper place to tell fairy stories in . Felicity says she ca n't see that it makes any difference where you tell them , but oh , it does .
I wish you had been there to hear it too , but when you are well I will tell it over again XXXXX you .
about beside by for if in into of that while