A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He tells her that one of his cats climbed into Jack's — his owl's — cage and stole a piece of meat from him. This incident made him realize how much work he has to do in Tarpon Springs before he can finally leave. Hafner thanks Chandler for regularly writing to him and thanks her for making him happy. He responds to an uplifting comment Chandler made about a sad-looking sea-calf, saying he repeated the sentiment to Mr. Turnpaw, who was disappointed at the birth of his daughter instead of a son. After hearing her comments, Hafner said Mr. Turnpaw is now very proud of his daughter. Hafner thanks Chandler for some clippings she sent him about the cigar industry. He then recounts a conversation with Mr. Muniz, who told him about the difference between a marriage that benefits a man's business and one that diminishes it. He closes with a joke made at the dinner table about how large their future home should be.