Dear Pearl,

Lucretia and Mrs Fezziwig have arrived, Pearl.  Mrs Fezziwig never recovered from losing the Colonel in WWI.  She keeps his shaving soap in its little dish on the sink as if he still lived and breathed.  Lucretia is supposed to be reminding her that things are different now but I think she gets weary of being the bearer of bad news all the time.  So we set a place at the table every night for the Colonel and when he doesn't come, we take turns making the most elaborate excuses.  Last night Melba - bless her ever-so-theatrical-soul - suggested that Cheddar (that's the Colonel's name) had been called away suddenly to another conflict - this one in the American Everglades.  Mrs Fezziwig was so proud to think that her dear Cheddar might be fighting for the Empire amongst the savages and the alligators who populate that part of the globe.  She ate her dinner with gusto and seemed more relaxed than we'd seen her for days!   

We miss your lovely voice around here, Pearl.  I hope you are keeping up on your scales so you will be ready to harmonize when we're together again!

I Remain, As Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue