oct. 12, 1999

　　dear mary,

　　i am very sorry to hear that you will soon start to return to london. although i am reluctant① to say good-bye to you, it is the sacred right② for you to go back to your motherland and hometown. during the few years when you have stayed in our class we have become best friends. and you have given me lots of help in my english studies. i should like to say many thanks for you. in order to keep our profound friendship for ever i would like to give you a very nice pen as present. please accept it.

　　i hope you will never forget me and other boys and girls of our class after you return to britain and often write to us.

　　yours sincerely,

　　li ying