Dear Xiao Don9，

  I am very sorry that I Was out when you same tosee me yesterday afternoon．The fact is that I had an en—gagement with some friends，I Was ignorant of yourvisit．Not until nine o’clock in the evening did I comeback．You must have been disappointed by my absence．I hope you will not leave the city this week．I’llcall you on Friday afternoon at five o’Cclock．As this isthe first time you come to Beijing，1 will take you tosome places that may interest you．

  Please wait for me in your hotel at the appointed time．

  Yours truly，Liu Ling