SIXTEEN

Dear Mrs. Smith,

May I now call you Emma? I feel as though I am about to know you so much better than I did previously, and I cannot think that Mrs. Smith, under these changed circumstances, remains the best term of address. Further, I cannot think what proprieties might be violated by my addressing you thus—should I receive your consent in doing so, of course—since I cannot imagine why another human being on the face of this planet should ever learn of it, save you and I.

I—I, I, I! One sentence ends with “I,” while the next inevitably continues there, although in my mind, I must confess, they all too often recently begin and end with “you.” I, too, like history and politics, and also know what I like when it comes to music. But are you quite certain, Emma, those are the topics on which you wish to spend your time with me? Is there nothing else that might matter to you more?

I suppose you must think me very forward now, but it does seem that, if we are limited to a few pages every now and again, we should not squander that blank space on topics that might adequately be covered with others.

If you will agree to be Emma with me, I can now become with you (and there the line ends for once on the word which it most properly should),

Chance

                  

How in the world had he learned my given name?