Dear Pearl,

Lohengrin is turning out to be the most charming place, Pearl.  The villagers are so nice and they include me in all their invitations - last week I didn't have a single cup of tea alone in my room!  I'm trying hard to keep my vocal cords as slippery as possible for the competition on Friday.  There's no heat in my room so I've adapted my rabbit fur muff into a muffler for sleeping.  It's a little tight around my neck but it preserves my high C.  I'm singing the Mad Hatter aria from "Alice."  I won't have all the props I usually use - the flamingo croquet mallets and the rain of cards - but I will strive to seem to be utterly and completely, truly, madly, deeply, MAD.  Wish me luck, dear Pearl.  If I win, I'll be coming to The Met for a performance and we'll be able to revisit all the gay scenes of our early days!

I Remain as Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue