"
"I was almost frightened myself. He must be almost home by this
time."
"When do you think he'll find out about the trick?"
"About the invitation? Not till he gets a letter from Miss Clinton,
telling him it is all a mistake. He will be terribly mortified."
Meanwhile Fletcher reached home, tired and out of breath. His
temporary fear was over, but he was quite at sea as to the cause of
the noises he had heard. He could not suspect any of his
school-fellows, for no one was visible, nor had he any idea that any
were in the wood at the time.
"I wonder if it was an animal," he reflected. "It was a fearful
noise. I must find some other place to practise reading in. I
wouldn't go to that wood again for fifty dollars."
But Fletcher's readings were not destined to be long continued. When
he got home from school the next day, he found the following note,
which had been left for him during the forenoon:--
"MR. FITZGERALD FLETCHER,--Dear Sir: I beg to thank you for your kind
proposal to read at our Fair; but I think there must be some mistake
in the matter, as we have never contemplated having any readings, nor
have I written to you on the subject, as you intimate. I fear that
we shall not have time to spare for such a feature, though, under
other circumstances, it might be attractive. In behalf of the
committee, I beg to tender thanks for your kind proposal.
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