REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Arif,

I wonder whether you are serious when you are serious when you say that I should arrange hotel accommodation for you. My personal flat on Clifton is big enough to accommodate both of our families for a month or even for a longer period. Walk straight in! Inform us of your arrival and my car will be at the station to pick you up!

Yours sincerely,

Jamal.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Manzoor,

I have heard of a new public school in Dharampura where expenses and minimum and education, the best possible. Then the school is a family and the family is a school. It is genuine education, preparation for life, without examinations and without looking for a government job mentality. I have written for a copy of prospectus and shall let you know about it.

Yours sincerely,

Saqib.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Kamal,

If I can come, I will not ask another person to sip the joys of being near you. I can always come while I live. Thank God, I live! Coming by the first available train or plane.

Yours sincerely,

Reshman.

TO A FRIEND IN HOSPITAL

Dear Latif,

I was greatly surprised to/ hear surprised to hear yesterday that you had been in hospital for the last seven days and no news leaked out to me from any source whatsoever. At first I was given to understand that you had a minor throat operation for tonsils, but later I was told that you simply wanted a medical check-up. I don’t know much about hospitals, but if anyone can find them amusing, I am sure you are just that one. You have always seen the funny side of a situation, and this hospitalization is really funny because you went there willingly. Do you think it will be just wasting my time if I pay a visit?

Yours sincerely,

Khalid.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Khalid,

You are right. Life here is very funny and I just came here to escape the tortuous domestic duties. If your children bore you, illness is a safety device. They feel they have been bored—- a tilt for tat. Do come along for a nice chat. What use is your time? Better burn your boats burdened with brass! If you have any doubts, read Stevenson’s An Apology for idlers:

I offer no apologies for being here. And you can visit me without apologies.

Yours sincerely,

Latif.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Mrs. Inayatullah Chaudhary,

I regret I was unable to attend the At-Home function on March 15, as I was at Gujranwala and received you invitation Card only yesterday on return. Thanks for your kind remembrance.

Yours sincerely,

Begum Vali.