Best Friend's Letter

"Some time later, when she was having her lunch, she heard someone tapping on the kitchen window. It was the local postman, Time's secon messenger of the day, the one o'clock messenger".

"Before going back to school, she selected a postcard with a Nymphalis antiopa on the front and scribbled a few lines in reply to Her Best Friend"

"She spent the afternoon teaching the children Christmas carols and singing along with them..."

"The schoolmistress nodded her agreement, stunned, unable to utter a single word. She recognized the writing on the envelopes. There was no doubt about it, it was that of Her Best Friend."

"I was so pleased to get your letters, so pleased. You know why. See you soon".

But, in fact, every line written by Her Best Friend was important, not just that one paragraph; every line comforted her, contributed something to the joy which from then on would constitute her strength.

"every line comforted her, contributed something to the joy which from then on would constitute her strength".

"The next day, the Tuesday before Christmas, dawned clear and cold in Albania, with a blue skye and a brilliant sun and the schoolmistress waited at her window for the arrival of the servant boy".