Dearest Pearl,

Oh yes, the mole servers were quite cunning. Linguini, you know, has a very theatrical - even operatic - sense of scene. I am lucky to have him in my service! And you, Dear. I am lucky to have you as my closest and oldest friend. You are always so wise and quickly able to to choose just the right saying for any situation. Take imitation, for example. You are saying it is the sincerest form of flattery. And yet, consider Aesop's The Raven and the Swan: "A Raven, which you know is black as coal, was envious of the Swan, because her feathers were as white as the purest snow. The foolish bird got the idea that if he lived like the Swan, swimming and diving all day long and eating the weeds and plants that grow in the water, his feathers would turn white like the Swan's. So he left his home in the woods and fields and flew down to live on the lakes and in the marshes. But though he washed and washed all day long, almost drowning himself at it, his feathers remained as black as ever. And as the water weeds he ate did not agree with him, he got thinner and thinner, and at last he died."

The moral? "A change of habits will not alter nature." You see what I mean, Pearl? If we were to listen to just any old saying, none of us would be imitating anyone or anything for fear of starving to death. You are indeed a treasure to all of us dear, wise, Pearl.

I Remain As Always,
Your Devoted Miss Blue

Dear Miss Blue,

The weather here is dreary, with a cold rain falling most of the morning and now on through the afternoon. And so you can imagine how delighted I was to have your letter in my mailbox with the story of Lady Grayfinch's costume ball! Did you notice the many finch costumes? I'm not surprised, for everyone wanted to impress Lady Grayfinch (remember the old saying, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery). I am wondering about the guest at the clavichord, and the music page-turner at her side; were you able to hear, above all of the noisy chatter, the song she was singing? Listen to the Mocking Bird, an old tune, comes to mind. I especially love the Mole disguise for the young cousins. Clever Linguini!

Now I must stir up a batch of pretzels, and of course I shall be sending along a few for you. Bye for now. Please write again soon, Miss Blue.

Love, Pearl

Sheesa Pal stopped by yesterday, Pearl, and she said to be sure to give you her regards. She doesn't model anymore, of course. But she's still fond of the outfit she posed in for the recruiting poster during the war. And she's just as patriotic as can be! Louise lined up the raspberries and blueberries just so on her big white platter to remind us of Old Glory. Sheesa warbled out a few stanzas of The Star Spangled Banner while Linguini tapped out a harmony of God Save The Queen with salad forks. Really such a moving occasion. I do wish you had been here. You've always loved musical entertainment so!

I Remain As Always,
Your Devoted Miss Blue

Dear Pearl,

I couldn't wait to tell you what an astounding success Lady Grayfinch's costume ball was! Except when Mr Toad evinced an unseemly interest in the flies buzzing about the foie gras everyone was on their best behavior. The costumes were magnificent. Melba says her goose outfit fit her so well she might wear it just for the fun of it when she next goes down to the end of the town. Silly goose! Linguini had conspired to dress some small cousins as mole butlers. Oh what fun we had! Please say you are thinking of making a trip to see us soon. We miss you so!

I Remain As Always,

Your Devoted Miss Blue

The story you have told me in your recent letter just tugs at my heart strings for I, too, have despaired over the self-made hero. There have been stunning moments when I have been driven to leap to the defense of the laid-low guests. Yes, Miss Blue, it is an exhausting time for all, delicious food prepared by Louise, pushed around on the elegant plates you so thoughtfully provided, food grown limp and cold, guests much too polite. That is the problem, Miss Blue. The awful politeness we are taught at our mother's knee. Didn't we all memorize this little ditty Politeness is to do and say, everything in the kindest way.  Now I must wind the cuckoo clock (the minute hand broke off some time ago and I have been eyeing the space between the hour hand and the invisible minute hand, and while being very tricky I will admit, without bragging, my accuracy has been profound). This is the true story, Miss Blue.

Signing Off,
Truthiness Pearl

I'm sure if you had been with us at dinner last night, darling Pearl, that you would have known just how to cut down to size the swaggering guest Melba had invited to join us. She met him at the fundraiser for golfing orphans that she chaired. He was not only the biggest donor, she claimed, but had fathered the most golfing orphans! At any rate, you know how Melba is - a little flighty even when normal, and completely useless when besotted. So we suffered through the most trying of evenings. Mr. Wonderful, as he insisted on calling himself, had endless stories to share featuring his own self as the hero. Even Louise spilling soup on him (she does come through at times) didn't slow his self aggrandizing narrative. I am quite weary this morning just recalling the effort it took to survive the evening. So I shall make this short and only remind you how much I think of you there in your more southern realm.

I Remain As Always,

Your Devoted Miss Blue