As an example of the first, where you have been visiting a girl friend and must write a letter to her mother, you begin “Dear Mrs. Town” at the top of a page, and nothing in the forbidding memory of Mrs. Town encourages you to go further.  It would be easy enough to write to Pauline, the daughter.  Very well, write to Pauline then—­on an odd piece of paper, in pencil, what a good time you had, how nice it was to be with her.  Then copy your note composed to Pauline off on the page beginning “Dear Mrs. Town.”  You have only to add, “love to Pauline, and thanking you again for asking me,” sign it “Very sincerely,” and there you are!

Don’t be afraid that your note is too informal; older people are always pleased with any expressions from the young that seem friendly and spontaneous.  Never think, because you can not easily write a letter, that it is better not to write at all.  The most awkward note that can be imagined is better than none—­for to write none is the depth of rudeness, whereas the awkward note merely fails to delight.

=EXAMPLES=

From a Young Woman to a Formal Hostess After a House Party

    Dear Mrs. Norman: 

I don’t know when I ever had such a good time as I did at Broadlawns.  Thank you a thousand times for asking me.  As it happened, the first persons I saw on Monday at the Towns’ dinner were Celia and Donald.  We immediately had a threesome conversation on the wonderful time we all had over Sunday.

    Thanking you again for your kindness to me,

    Very sincerely yours,
    Grace Smalltalk.

To a Formal Hostess After an Especially Amusing Week-End

Dear Mrs. Worldly: 

Every moment at Great Estates was a perfect delight!  I am afraid my work at the office this morning was down to zero in efficiency; so perhaps it is just as well, if I am to keep my job, that the average week-end in the country is different—­very.  Thank you all the same, for the wonderful time you gave us all, and believe me

Faithfully yours,
Frederick Bachelor.

Dear Mrs. Worldly: 

Every time I come from Great Estates, I realize again that there
is no house to which I always go with so much pleasure, and leave
on Monday morning with so much regret.

Your party over this last week-end was simply wonderful!  And
thank you ever so much for having included me.

    Always sincerely,
    Constance Style.

From a Young Couple

    Dear Mrs. Town: 

We had a perfect time at Tuxedo over Sunday and it was so good of you to include us.  Jack says he is going to practise putting the way Mr. Town showed him, and maybe the next time he plays in a foursome he won’t be such a handicap to his partner.

    Thanking you both for the pleasure you gave us,

    Affectionately yours,
        Sally Titherington Littlehouse