Dear Pearl,

After a month of twice-daily performances of "The Mean Fairies" Melba has succumbed to water damage and relinquished her role to her eager understudy.  Her doctor says she must lie in the sun and eat only oatmeal until she dries out.  Of course she is crabby and hard to live with.  Fanny tried to cheer her up by pointing out that it's not a bad life - to follow the sun around the house like a cat lounging on the windowsills. . .But our Melba has such a damp cough and such a lot of itchy mold all over her once lovely legs that she could only sputter with rage.  Poor Fanny.  Always the optimist!

Say, what news of the diner?  Did you have the May Day Sardine Fest this spring?  We so enjoyed the empty King Oscar tins you collected for us last year.  Louise has rinsed and refilled them all with the most cunning pate bas reliefs. There's even one that's a portrait of you!  We won't use it for crackers until you are right here with us!  Oh I hope you can get away soon!

I Remain As Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue