dear xxx:
i am terribly sorry to tell you that i have lost the valuable book you wereso kind to lend me last week. i read it everyday and intended to finish it nextmonth. last night when i came to my room, it was nowhere to be found. i will tryto recover it as soon as possible. if i fail to find it, i will get a new bookfor you.
but i am afraid it can never take the place of the old one. old books arelike old friends. once lost, they can never be replaced. they are connected withcherished associations which the new ones can never have. and for thisirrecoverable loss, i am to blame. i was so careless with my things. this is awarning to me to be more careful in the future.
yours truly,
xxx
