Dear Mr. Brown,
I beg to inform you that I shall be unable to come to school / your class today because of an important business in the family.
Your loving student
J. Smith
March, 200
Dear Director,
I beg to apply for one’s week’s leave of absence from the 1st to 7th instant, both days inclusive, in order to return home to see my grandfather, who is now serious ill. To support my application, I herewith submit the telegram received from my father last night.
Respectfully,
James Smith
Oct. 7, 200
Director Hu,
A telegram has just come to hand saying that my mother is serious ill and urging me to go home at once. Because of this I should very much like to have a leave of three days beginning on Oct. 8. I hope that my request will be given due consideration.
Chen Xingxing
Encl: a telegram from my home