1. 向朋友问候 A letter of inquiring after someone’s health
Dear [John]:
I am extremely sorry to hear that your illness, which we had thought was clearing up, has become more serious, and that your have had to go into hospital. Let us hope that it will be for only a very short time, and that you will soon be out and about again. Everybody here sends his best wishes to you for a quick recovery.
2. 问候朋友的母亲 Inquiring after the health of a friend’s mother
Dear [Mr. Wang],
I felt very sorry indeed when I heard of [your mother]’s illness, and am anxious to know how [she] is of late. Under a separate cover I am sending [her a box of assorted biscuits] with my best regards.
I learn, with very great pleasure, that the illness which has so cruelly caused great anxiety among your relatives and all those who know you has changed for the better and that you are now recovering, for which I therefore desire to congratulate you warmly.
I hope that you will soon be completely restored to health.
4. 慰问丧偶的朋友 A letter of inquiring to those who lost their husband or wife
Dear [Mrs. Harper],
I would like to express my sorrow at the recent death of your [husband].
In the long time it was my privilege to enjoy [Professor of Harper]’s friendship. I found [him] a since and helpful associate, with whom it was a pleasure [to work].
The knowledge that my thoughts are with you at his time will, I hope, be of some comfort to you.
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,
亲爱的[南希小姐]：
[小儿][上周六]突然生病，因此未能应约赴[生日]宴，殊觉抱歉，希原谅，再见。
祝
好！
2. 因迟复来信致歉 Because of answering one’s letter late
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.
3. 因未能及时还书致歉 Unable to return borrowed book on time
Dear [Kate]:
Excuse me for my long delaying in returning to you your “Robinson Crusoe” which I read through with great interest. I had finished reading the book and was about to return it when [my cousin] came to see me. Never having seen the book, [She] was so interested in it that I had to retain it longer. However, I hope that in view of the additional delight thus afforded by your book, you will overlook my negligence in not returning it sooner.
I am terribly sorry to tell you that I have lost the valuable book you were so kind to lend me [last week]. I read it [everyday] and intended to finish it [next month]. [Last night] when I came to my room, it was nowhere to be found. I will try to recover it as soon as possible. If I fail to find it, I will get a new book for you.
But I am afraid it can never take the place of the old one. Old books are like old friends. Once lost, they can never be replaced. They are connected with cherished associations which the new ones can never have. And for this irrecoverable loss, I am to blame. I was so careless with my things. This is a warning to me to be more careful in the future.