Merry Christmas!

[Margaret O'Neill]

23rd December, 1885

Dearest Ivy,

I can only apologise for the lateness of the card - and this letter - as Mrs Pendergast insisted on helping me purchase it for you and as I am sure you remember how particular she can be you will also likely recall that the choosing entailed almost three days of perusing each one! As I am sure you also recall I am a useless fool when it comes to stemming her moods and I trailed along dutifully ooh-ing and ah-ing over every one until eventually I insisted that owls would rather suit my clever niece.

But nevermind that! It has been far too long since I last clapped eyes on you and I hope you are well and thriving. I had a letter from your mother last week asking if I knew anything about a happy occasion? I assured her she would be the first to know so naturally I am asking you in the hope that you might confide in me first!

Merry Christmas dear, and if I do not see you before the New Year I hope you and Mr Scrivenshaft have a lovely time and you endeavour to remember your old auntie more after the calendars change.

Much love,

Aunt Margaret.

@'Ivy Scrivenshaft'