Dear Miss Nancy
Much to my regret I was unable to keep my promise to attend your birthday party last Saturday owing to the fact that my little son was suddenly taken ill early that day.
Hoping to see you soon.
Truly yours
Jom
Dear Tom,
I’m very sorry that I can’t go on a trip to Beijing with you next weekend, which I have promised you. I’m writing to tell you the reason for it.
Just now, my cousin, Li Ming, who went abroad for further education last year, informed me that he would return the next Saturday morning. He asked me to pick him up at the airport with his parents. As you know, we haven’t seen each other for about a year, so I’ll have to help him in the first place.
I really hope that you can accept my apologies and understand me. I would appreciate it if you allow me to fix another time to show you around some places of interest in Beijing.
Wish you have a good time this weekend!
Yours,
Li Ming
Dear David:
I am afraid that you will think me unpardonably negligent in not having answered your letter dated 7, December sooner, but when I have told you the reason, I trust you will be convinced that the neglect was excusable. When your letter arrived, I was just in Hong Kong. As my family could not forward it to me during my absence, it has been, therefore, lying on my desk until the moment when I took it up. Now the first thing I have to hasten to do is to write to you these few lines to express my deep regret.
I enjoyed many pleasant sights during my trip. I shall be pleased to give you an account to of them when I see you next.
Sincerely yours,
Tom