The Letter by Eleanor H. Porter

"The Letter" is an exciting story set in the 19200's about confusion and unknowns. It starts with the postman delivering a single letter at the Clayton residence. That letter is taken by twelve year old Emily, who then gives it to her eight year old brother to take inside to their Mum. But Teddy the eight year old brother forgets to put it inside and suddenly the dog has it, and has run away. When Teddy tells his mother his older sister Ethel and his older brother James hear. They are both furious...they were both expecting a letter! And, NOW every thing is ruined! The whole family starts looking for the dog. The father joins them because he is expecting a letter from his employer and might lose his job if he does not know what "his" letter said. When the dog is found without the letter the whole family despairs, each going into a private place thinking about what the letter for "me" might have said. Was it a invitation to a dance for Ethel's? Or, maybe an acceptance to the dance for James, from Betty? Was it a letter saying the Bixby's would be coming for dinner the following night?
The author does a fine job keeping the reader continually in suspense with clever dialogue, keeping the big secret until the very last word! I highly recommend you read this hilarious and entertaining short story.