The two letters that Eveline writes are apparently letters of farewell. One is to Harry, her brother. Eveline had two brothers, and "Ernest had been her favorite", but he died. Eveline "like(s) Harry too". Harry "is in the church decorating business, and (is) nearly always somewhere down in the country". He sends what money he can to help support Eveline and their father.
The other letter is to Eveline's father. Eveline has not had a good relationship with her father. Although she has a few happy memories of him, like when he used to "(put) on her mother's bonnet to make the children laugh", mainly she remembers when her father has treated her unkindly, accusing her of squandering the meager earnings he grudgingly turns over to her to get food for their dinner, and forbidding her to see the Frank, the gentleman who has come calling for her, and who plans to take her "to a distant unknown country" to start a new life. Eveline muses that "her father (is) becoming old lately", and thinks that despite his gruff, unappreciative ways, "he would miss her".
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