WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:07.280 Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster, Part one, Blue Wednesday, 2 00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:12.240 The first Wednesday in every month was a perfectly awful day, 3 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:16.160 a day to be awaited with dread, endured with courage, 4 00:00:16.440 --> 00:00:21.399 and forgotten with haste. Every floor must be spotless, every 5 00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:26.600 chair dustless, and every bed without a wrinkle. Ninety seven 6 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:31.199 squirming little orphans must be scrubbed and combed and buttoned 7 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:35.359 into freshly starched ginghams, and all ninety seven reminded of 8 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:38.920 their manners and told to say yes sir, no sir 9 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:44.399 whenever a trusty spoke. It was a distressing time, and 10 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:48.520 poor Jerusha Abbot, being the oldest orphan, had to bear 11 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:52.280 the brunt of it. But this particular First Wednesday, like 12 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:57.320 its predecessors, finally dragged itself to a close. Jerusha escaped 13 00:00:57.320 --> 00:01:00.079 from the pantry where she had been making sandwiches for 14 00:01:00.119 --> 00:01:05.799 the asylum's guests, and turned upstairs to accomplish her regular work. 15 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:10.439 Her special care was Room F where eleven little tots 16 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:14.280 from four to seven occupied eleven little cots sat in 17 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:19.400 a row. Jerusha assembled her charges, straightened their rumpled frocks, 18 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:22.760 wiped their noses, and started them in an orderly and 19 00:01:22.840 --> 00:01:26.239 willing line towards the dining room to engage themselves for 20 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:29.719 a blessed half hour with bread and milk and prune pudding. 21 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:33.439 Then she dropped down on the window seat and leaned 22 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:37.200 throbbing temples against the cool glass. She had been on 23 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:42.000 her feet since five that morning, doing everybody's bidding, Scolded 24 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:45.719 and hurried by a nervous matron, missus Lippet, behind the 25 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:49.719 scenes did not always maintain that calm and pompous dignity 26 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:53.120 with which she faced an audience of trustees and lady visitors. 27 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:57.319 Jerusha gazed out across a broad stretch of frozen lawn 28 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:00.840 beyond the tall iron paling that mar marked the confines 29 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:05.239 of the asylum, down undulating ridges sprinkled with country estates 30 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:08.000 to the spires of the village, rising from the midst 31 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:12.520 of bare trees. The day was ended quite successfully, so 32 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:16.080 far as she knew. The trustees and the visiting committee 33 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:18.879 had made their rounds and read the reports and drunk 34 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:21.719 their tea, and now were hurrying home to their own 35 00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:26.199 cheerful firesides to forget their bothersome little charges for another month. 36 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:30.639 Jerusha leaned forward, watching with curiosity and a touch of 37 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:34.199 wistfulness the stream of carriages and automobiles that rolled out 38 00:02:34.240 --> 00:02:38.960 of the asylum gates. In imagination, she followed first one equipage, 39 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:42.199 then another, to the big houses dotted along the hillside. 40 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:45.360 She pictured herself in a fur coat and a velvet 41 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:48.520 hat trimmed with feathers, leaning back in the seat and 42 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:53.520 nonchalantly murmuring home to the driver. But on the door 43 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:57.400 sill of her home, the picture grew blurred. Jerusha had 44 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:01.439 an imagination, an imagination. Missus Lippet told her that would 45 00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:04.520 get her into trouble if she didn't take care. But 46 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:07.439 keen as it was, it could not carry her beyond 47 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:11.439 the front porches of the houses she would enter. Poor, eager, 48 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:15.879 adventurous little Jerusha, in all her seventeen years, had never 49 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:20.199 stepped inside an ordinary house. She could not picture the 50 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:23.280 daily routine of those other human beings who carried on 51 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:29.680 their lives undiscommoded by orphans. Jerusha, Abbit, you are wanted 52 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:33.479 in the office, and I think you'd better hurry up. 53 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:38.039 Tommy Dylan, who had joined the choir, came singing up 54 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:41.599 the stairs and down the corridor, his chant growing louder 55 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:45.400 as he approached room f Jerusha wrenched herself from the 56 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:48.960 window and refaced the troubles of life. Who wants me? 57 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:52.439 She cut into Tommy's chant with a note of sharp anxiety. 58 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:56.560 Missus lippet in the office, and I think she's mad 59 00:03:57.120 --> 00:04:02.439 ah Man. Tommy pie intoned, but his accent was not 60 00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:06.879 entirely malicious. Even the most hardened little orphan felt sympathy 61 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:09.639 for an erring sister who was summoned to the office 62 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:13.759 to face an annoyed matron. And Tommy liked Jerusha, even 63 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:15.879 if she did sometimes jerk him by the arm and 64 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:20.800 nearly scrub his nose off. Jerusha went without comment, but 65 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:24.519 with two parallel lines on her brow. What could have 66 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:28.600 gone wrong? She wondered? Were the sandwiches not thin enough? 67 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:32.600 Were there shells in the nutcakes? Had a lady visitor 68 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:37.279 seen the hole in Susie Hawthorne's stocking? Had oh horrors? 69 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.680 One of the cherubic little babies in her own room 70 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:45.480 f sauced a trustee. The long lower hall had not 71 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:49.120 been lighted, and as she came downstairs, a last trustee 72 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:51.839 stood on the point of departure in the open door 73 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:55.279 that led to the porte cochere. Jerusha caught only a 74 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:59.040 fleeting impression of the man, and the impression consisted entirely 75 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:02.879 of tallness. He was waving his arm towards an automobile 76 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:05.759 waiting in the curved drive as it sprang into motion 77 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:09.560 and approached head on. For an instant, the glaring headlights 78 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:13.519 threw his shadow sharply against the wall. Inside the shadow 79 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:18.000 pictured grotesquely elongated legs and arms that ran along the 80 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:21.040 floor and up the wall of the corridor. It looked, 81 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:24.399 for all the world like a huge, wavering daddy long legs. 82 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:30.120 Jerusha's anxious frown gave place to quick laughter. She was 83 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:33.319 by nature a sunny soul and had always snatched the 84 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:37.040 tiniest excuse to be amused. If one could derive any 85 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:40.000 sort of entertainment out of the oppressive fact of a trustee, 86 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:44.079 it was something unexpected to the good. She advanced to 87 00:05:44.160 --> 00:05:47.560 the office, quite cheered by the tiny episode, and presented 88 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:51.959 a smiling face to missus Lippett. To her surprise, the 89 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:57.040 matron was also, if not exactly smiling, at least appreciably affable. 90 00:05:57.720 --> 00:06:00.160 She wore an expression almost as pleasant as the one 91 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:04.439 she donned for visitors. Sit down, Jerusha, I have something 92 00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:07.920 to say to you. Jerusha dropped into the nearest chair 93 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:11.839 and waited with a touch of breathlessness. An automobile flashed 94 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:15.879 past the window. Missus Lippett glanced after it. Did you 95 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:19.680 notice the gentleman who has just gone? I saw his back. 96 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:23.959 He is one of our most affluential trustees and has 97 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:27.480 given large sums of money towards the asylum's support. I 98 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:30.480 am not at liberty to mention his name. He expressly 99 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:36.240 stipulated that he was to remain unknown. Jerushe's eyes widened slightly. 100 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:39.519 She was not accustomed to being summoned to the office 101 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:44.600 to discuss the eccentricities of trustees with the matron. This 102 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:47.399 gentleman has taken an interest in several of our boys. 103 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:51.519 You remember Charles Benton and Henry Freese. They were both 104 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:56.399 sent through college by mister this trustee, and both have repaid, 105 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:59.600 with hard working success the money that was so generously 106 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:05.079 expended mother payment. The gentleman does not wish Heretofore, his 107 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:08.839 philanthropies have been directed solely toward the boys. I have 108 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:11.240 never been able to interest him in the slightest degree 109 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.920 in any of the girls in the institution, No matter 110 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:17.720 how deserving. He does not I may tell you care 111 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:23.639 for girls. No, ma'am, Jerushem murmured, since some replies seemed 112 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.800 to be expected at this point. Today, at the regular meeting, 113 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:31.040 the question of your future was brought up. Missus Lippett 114 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:33.959 allowed a moment of silence to fall, then resumed in 115 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:37.879 a slow, placid manner, extremely trying to her hearers suddenly 116 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:42.199 tightened nerves. Usually, as you know, the children are not 117 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:45.360 kept after they are sixteen. But an exception was made 118 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:48.399 in your case. You had finished our school at fourteen, 119 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:51.560 and having done so well in your studies, not always, 120 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:55.079 I must say, in your conduct, it was determined to 121 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:57.879 let you go on in the village high school. Now 122 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:00.720 you are finished that, and of course the asylum cannot 123 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:04.120 be responsible any longer for your support. As it is, 124 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:09.240 you have had two years more than most. Missus Lippett 125 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:11.720 overlooked the fact that Jerusha had worked hard for her 126 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:15.160 board during those two years, that the convenience of the 127 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:18.720 asylum had come first and her education second, that on 128 00:08:18.839 --> 00:08:21.800 days like the present, she was kept at home to scrub. 129 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:26.040 As I say, the question of your future was brought up, 130 00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:31.120 and your record was discussed thoroughly discussed. Missus Lippet brought 131 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:33.840 accusing eyes to bear upon the prisoner in the dock, 132 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:37.240 and the prisoner looked guilty because it seemed to be expected, 133 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:40.720 not because she could remember any strikingly black pages in 134 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:44.919 her record. Of course, the usual disposition of one in 135 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:47.120 your place would be to put you in a position 136 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:49.919 where you could begin to work. But you have done 137 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:53.200 well in school in certain branches. It seems that your 138 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:56.879 work in English has even been brilliant. Miss Pritchard, who 139 00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:00.000 is on our visiting committee, is also on the school. 140 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:03.639 She has been talking with your rhetoric teacher and made 141 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:06.759 a speech in your favor. She also read aloud an 142 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:11.240 essay that you had written, entitled Blue Wednesday. Jerusha's guilty 143 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:15.120 expression this time was not assumed. It seemed to me 144 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:18.000 that you showed little gratitude in holding up to ridicule 145 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:20.879 the institution that has done so much for you. Had 146 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:23.159 you not managed to be funny, I doubt if you 147 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:27.559 would have been forgiven. But fortunately for you, mister that is, 148 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:30.759 the gentleman who has just gone appears to have an 149 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:34.639 immoderate sense of humor. On the strength of that impertinent 150 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:38.799 paper he has offered to send you to college. To college. 151 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:44.440 Jerusha's eyes grew big. Missus Lippett nodded. He waited to 152 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:48.279 discuss the terms with me. They are unusual. The gentleman, 153 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:51.559 i may say, is erratic. He believes that you have 154 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:54.559 originality and he is planning to educate you to become 155 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:59.399 a writer. A writer. Jerus's mind was numbed. She could 156 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:03.559 only repeat Missus Lippet's words. That is his wish. Whether 157 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:06.200 anything will come of it, the future will show. He 158 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:09.159 is giving you a very liberal allowance, almost for a 159 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:11.879 girl who had never had any experience and take care 160 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:15.720 of money. Too liberal. But he planned the matter in detail, 161 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:18.360 and I did not feel free to make any suggestions. 162 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.240 You are to remain here through the summer, and Miss 163 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:25.559 Pritchard has kindly offered to superintend your outfit. Your board 164 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:27.960 and tuition will be paid directly to the college, and 165 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:30.519 you will receive, in addition, during the four years you 166 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:33.279 were there, an allowance of thirty five dollars a month. 167 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:35.840 This will enable you to enter on the same standing 168 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:38.240 as the other students. The money will be sent to 169 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:41.200 you by the Gentleman's private secretary once a month, and 170 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:43.720 in return you will write a letter of acknowledgment once 171 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:46.720 a month. That is, you are not to thank him 172 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:49.159 for the money. He doesn't care to have that mentioned. 173 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:51.320 But you are to write a letter telling of the 174 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:54.480 progress in your studies and the details of your daily life, 175 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:57.279 just such a letter as you would write to your 176 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:00.600 parents if they were living. These letters will be addressed 177 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:03.200 to mister John Smith and will be sent in care 178 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:06.919 of the Secretary. The gentleman's name is not John Smith, 179 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:10.320 but he prefers to remain unknown to you. He will 180 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:14.360 never be anything but John Smith. His reason in requiring 181 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:17.360 the letters is that he thinks nothing so foster's facility 182 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:20.679 in literary expression as letter writing. Since you have no 183 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:24.039 family with whom to correspond, he desires you to write 184 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:26.559 in this way. Also he wishes to keep track of 185 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:30.200 your progress. He will never answer your letters, nor in 186 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:33.840 the slightest particular, take any notice of them. He detests 187 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:37.080 letter writing and does not wish you to become a burden. 188 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:40.879 If any point should ever arise where an answer would 189 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:43.840 seem to be imperative, such as in the event of 190 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:47.399 your being expelled, which I trust will not occur, you 191 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:52.080 may correspond with mister Griggs, his secretary. These monthly letters 192 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:55.600 are absolutely obligatory on your part. They are the only 193 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:58.679 payment that mister Smith requires, so you must be as 194 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:01.360 punctilious in sending them as though it were a bill 195 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:04.240 that you were paying. I hope that they will always 196 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:07.840 be respectful in tone and will reflect credit on your training. 197 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:10.559 You must remember that you are writing to a trustee 198 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:15.720 of the John Greerholm Jerushe's eyes longingly sought the door. 199 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:18.879 Her head was in a whirl of excitement, and she 200 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:22.120 wished only to escape from Missus Lippet's platitudes and think. 201 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:26.799 She rose and took a tentative step backwards. Missus Lippett 202 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:30.600 detained her with his gesture. It was an oratorical opportunity 203 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:34.200 not to be slighted. I trust that you are properly 204 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:37.480 grateful for this very rare good fortune that has befallen you. 205 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:41.279 Not many girls in your position ever have such an 206 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:46.679 opportunity to rise in the world. You must always remember, ay, yes, ma'am, 207 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:49.399 thank you. I think if that's all, I must go 208 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:53.240 and sew a patch on Freddy Perkins's trousers. The door 209 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:56.399 closed behind her, and Missus Lippett watched it with dropped 210 00:12:56.480 --> 00:13:03.360 jaw her preorientation in mid air. End of Part one, 211 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:09.399 Part two, The Letters of Miss Jerusha Abbot to mister 212 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:15.639 Daddy Longlegs Smith, two fifteen, Ferguson Hall, twenty fourth September. 213 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:21.320 Dear kind trustee who sends orphans to college. Here I am. 214 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:25.399 I traveled yesterday for four hours in a train. It's 215 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:29.000 a funny sensation, isn't it. I never wrote in one before. 216 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:34.039 College is the biggest, most bewildering place I get lost 217 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:37.039 whenever I leave my room. I will write you a 218 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:41.480 description later, when I'm feeling less muddled. Also, I will 219 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:46.039 tell you about my lessons. Classes don't begin until Monday morning, 220 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:48.600 and this is Saturday night, but I wanted to write 221 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:52.000 a letter first, just to get acquainted. It seems queer 222 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:54.799 to be writing letters to somebody you don't know. It 223 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.919 seems queer for me to be writing letters at all. 224 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:59.960 I've never written more than three or four in my life, 225 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:02.799 so please overlook it if these are not a model kind. 226 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:06.919 Before leaving yesterday morning, missus Lippett and I had a 227 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:10.080 very serious talk. She told me how to behave all 228 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:12.720 the rest of my life, and especially how to behave 229 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:15.399 towards the kind gentleman who is doing so much for me. 230 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:19.200 I must take care to be very respectful. But how 231 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.799 can one be very respectful to a person who wishes 232 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:24.960 to be called John Smith? Why couldn't you have picked 233 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:27.840 a name with a little personality. I might as well 234 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:31.600 write letters to dear hitching Post or dear clothes prop. 235 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.360 I've been thinking about you a great deal this summer. 236 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:38.759 Having somebody taken interest in me after all these years 237 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:41.120 makes me feel as though I have found a sort 238 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:45.080 of family. It seems as though I belonged to somebody now, 239 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:49.600 and it's a very comfortable sensation. I must say, however, 240 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:52.639 that when I think about you, my imagination has very 241 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:55.399 little to work upon. There are just three things that 242 00:14:55.480 --> 00:15:00.320 I know. One you are tall, Two you are rich. 243 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:05.720 Three you hate girls. I suppose I might call you 244 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:09.600 dear mister girl hater, only that's rather insulting to me, 245 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:14.279 or dear mister rich man. But that's insulting to you 246 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:17.080 as though money were the only important thing about you. 247 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:23.559 Besides being rich is such a very external quality. Maybe 248 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:26.240 you won't stay rich all your life. Lots of very 249 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:29.480 clever men get smashed up in Wall Street. But at 250 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:32.519 least you will stay tall all your life. So I've 251 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:35.360 decided to call you Daddy long Legs. I hope you 252 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:38.639 won't mind. It's just a private pet name. We won't 253 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:42.759 tell missus Lippett. The ten o'clock bell is going to 254 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:46.240 ring in two minutes. Our day is divided into sections 255 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:50.039 by bells. We eat and sleep and study by bells. 256 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:54.600 It's very enlivening. I feel like a fire horse all 257 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:59.679 the time there. It goes lights out, good night. Observe 258 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:02.919 with what precision. I obey rules due to my training 259 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:10.039 in the John Greer Home. Yours very respectfully, Jerusha Abbot 260 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:15.759 to mister Daddy long Lake Smith, first October, Dear Daddy 261 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:19.399 long Lakes, I love college, and I love you for 262 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:23.799 sending me. I'm very, very happy, and so excited every 263 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:27.120 moment of the time that I can scarcely sleep. You 264 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:29.679 can't imagine how different it is from the John Greer Home. 265 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:32.759 I never dreamed there was such a place in the world. 266 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:36.639 I'm feeling sorry for everybody who isn't a girl and 267 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:39.480 who can't come here. I am sure the college you 268 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:43.200 attended when you were a boy couldn't have been so nice. 269 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:45.559 My room is up in a tower that used to 270 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:48.679 be the Contagious Ward before they built the new infirmary. 271 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.600 There are three other girls on the same floor of 272 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:55.799 the tower, a senior who wears spectacles and is always 273 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:58.440 asking us pleased to be a little more quiet, and 274 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:02.519 two freshmen named Ally mc bride and Julia Rutledge Pendleton. 275 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:06.599 Sally has red hair and a turned up nose and 276 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:10.400 is quite friendly. Julia comes from one of the first 277 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:14.440 families in New York and hasn't noticed me yet. They 278 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:18.079 room together, and the senior and I have singles. Usually 279 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:22.200 freshmen can't get singles, they are very scarce, but I 280 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:26.119 got one without even asking. I suppose the registrar didn't 281 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:28.160 think it would be right to ask a properly brought 282 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:31.759 up girl to room with a foundling. You see, there 283 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:36.559 are advantages. My room is on the northwest corner, with 284 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:39.720 two windows and a view. After you've lived in a 285 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:42.960 ward for eighteen years with twenty room mates, it is 286 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:46.839 RESTful to be alone. This is the first chance I've 287 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:50.640 ever had to get acquainted with Jerusha Abbott. I think 288 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:56.799 I'm going to like her. Do you think you are? Tuesday, 289 00:17:57.279 --> 00:18:00.880 they are organizing the freshman basketball team, and there's just 290 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.680 a chance that I shall get in it. I am little, 291 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:07.519 of course, but terribly quick and wiry and tough. While 292 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:10.079 the others are hopping about in the air, I can 293 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:13.319 dodge under their feet and grab the ball. It's loads 294 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:16.759 of fun practicing out in the athletic field in the afternoon, 295 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:19.200 with the trees all red and yellow, and the air 296 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:22.279 full of the smell of burning leaves, and everybody laughing 297 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:26.160 and shouting. These are the happiest girls I ever saw, 298 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:30.079 and I am the happiest of all. I meant to 299 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:32.240 write a long letter and tell you all the things 300 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:36.000 I'm learning. Missus Lippett said, you wanted to know, But 301 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:39.119 seventh hour has just rung, and in ten minutes I'm 302 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:42.680 due with athletic field and gymnasium clothes. Don't you hope 303 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:48.160 I'll get in the team? Yours always, Jerusha Abbot p s. 304 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:51.680 Nine o'clock. SALLYE mac bride just poked her head in 305 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:55.079 at my door. This is what she said. I am 306 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:58.079 so homesick that I simply can't stand it. Do you 307 00:18:58.119 --> 00:19:01.559 feel that way? I smiled a little and said no, 308 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:04.920 I thought I could pull through at least homesickness is 309 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:08.640 one disease that I've escaped. I never heard of anybody 310 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:15.720 being asylum sick. Did you tenth October? Dear Daddy longlegs, 311 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:19.079 Did you ever hear of Michael Angelo? He was a 312 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:21.880 famous artist who lived in Italy in the Middle Ages. 313 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:26.039 Everybody in English literature seemed to know about him, and 314 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:28.880 the whole class laughed because I thought he was an archangel. 315 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:32.960 He sounds like an archangel, doesn't he. The trouble with 316 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.240 college is that you are expected to know such a 317 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:39.000 lot of things you've never learned. It's very embarrassing at times. 318 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:41.920 But now when the girls talk about things that I 319 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:44.440 have never heard of, I just keep still and look 320 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:47.799 them up in the encyclopedia. I made an awful mistake 321 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:51.839 the first day. Somebody mentioned Maurice Materlink, and I asked 322 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:54.440 if she was a freshman. That joke has gone all 323 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:58.480 over college. But anyway, I'm just as bright in glass 324 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:01.839 as any of the others, brighter than some of them. 325 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:05.039 Do you care to know how I've furnished my room. 326 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:08.920 It's a symphony in brown and yellow. The wall was 327 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:12.599 tinted buff, and I've bought yellow denim curtains and cushions, 328 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:17.039 and a mahogany desk second hand for three dollars, and 329 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:19.440 a ratan chair and a brown rug with an ink 330 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:23.359 spot in the middle. I stand the chair over the spot. 331 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:27.039 The windows are high up. You can't look out from 332 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:30.359 an ordinary seat, but I unscrewed the looking glass from 333 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:33.359 the back of the bureau, upholstered the top and moved 334 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:36.200 it up against the window. It's just the right height 335 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:38.880 for a window seat. You pull out the drawers like 336 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:43.559 steps and walk up very comfortable. Sallie mc bride helped 337 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:46.519 me choose the things at the Senior auction. She has 338 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:49.160 lived in a house all her life and knows about furnishing. 339 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:52.200 You can't imagine what fun it is to shop and 340 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:54.480 pay with a real five dollar bill and get some 341 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:56.960 change when you've never had more than a few cents 342 00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:00.200 in your life. I assure you, Daddy, dear, I do 343 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:06.240 appreciate that allowance. Sally is the most entertaining person in 344 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:10.960 the world, and Julia Ruttledge Pendleton the least. So it's 345 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:13.680 queer what a mixture the registrar can make in the 346 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:18.680 matter of roommates. Sallly thinks everything is funny even flunking. 347 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:23.559 And Julia is bored at everything. She never makes the 348 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:27.000 slightest effort to be amiable. She believes that if you 349 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:30.200 are a Pendleton, that fact alone admits you to Heaven 350 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:35.279 without any further examination. Julia and I were born to 351 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:40.160 be enemies. And now I suppose you've been waiting very 352 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:45.839 impatiently to hear what I am learning. One Latin second 353 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:50.440 Punic War. Hannibal and his forces pitched camp at Lake Tresimeneus. 354 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:54.119 Last night. They prepared an ambuscade for the Romans, and 355 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:56.640 a battle took place at the fourth watch. This morning, 356 00:21:57.279 --> 00:22:03.200 Romans in retreat. Two French twenty four pages of the 357 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:11.480 Three Musketeers and third conjunction irregular verbs. Three Geometry finished cylinders, 358 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:19.119 now doing cones. Four English studying exposition. My style improves 359 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:25.559 daily in clearness and brevity. Five Physiology reached the digestive 360 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:30.039 system bile and the pancreas. Next time, yours on the 361 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:34.839 way to being educated. Jerusha Abbot p s. I hope 362 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:38.440 you never touch alcohol, Daddy, it does dreadful things to 363 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:44.839 your liver. Wednesday, Dear Daddy, longlegs. I've changed my name. 364 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:49.279 I'm still Jerusha in the catalog, but I'm Judy everywhere else. 365 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:52.440 It's really too bad, isn't it. They have to give 366 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:55.759 yourself the only pet name you ever had. I didn't 367 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:58.880 make up the Judy though. That's what Freddy Perkins used 368 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:02.160 to call me before he could talk plainly. I wish 369 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:05.559 missus Lippett would use a little more ingenuity about choosing 370 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:09.039 baby names. She gets the last names out of the 371 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:13.200 telephone book. You'll find Abbot on the first page, and 372 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:17.200 she picks the Christian names up anywhere. She got Jerusha 373 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:21.000 from a tombstone. I've always hated it, but I rather 374 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:24.960 like Judy. It's such a silly name. It belongs to 375 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:28.000 the kind of girl. I'm not, a sweet, little blue 376 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:31.279 eyed thing, petted and spoiled by all the family, who 377 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:34.680 romps her way through life without any cares. Wouldn't it 378 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:38.400 be nice to be like that? Whatever fault I may have, 379 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:41.319 no one can ever accuse me of having been spoiled 380 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:44.400 by my family, but it's great fun to pretend I've been. 381 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:50.119 In the future, please always address me as Judy. Do 382 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:52.880 you want to know something? I have three pairs of 383 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:56.720 kid gloves. I've had kid mittens before from the Christmas tree, 384 00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:01.319 but never real kid gloves with five fingers. I take 385 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:04.119 them out and try them on every little while. It's 386 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:07.960 all I can do not to wear them to glasses, dinner, bell, 387 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:15.240 goodbye Friday. What do you think? Daddy? The English instructor 388 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:18.920 said that my last paper shows an unusual amount of originality? 389 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:24.359 She did, truly, those were her words. It doesn't seem possible, 390 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:28.000 does it, considering the eighteen years of training that I've had. 391 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:31.599 The aim of the John Greer Holme, as you doubtless 392 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:34.880 know and heartily approve of, is to turn the ninety 393 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:40.400 seven orphans into ninety seven twins. The unusual artistic ability 394 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:43.599 which I exhibit was developed at an early age through 395 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:46.920 drawing chalk pictures of Missus Lippett on the woodshed door. 396 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:50.839 I hope that I don't hurt your feelings when I 397 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:53.720 criticize the home of my youth. But you have the 398 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:56.880 upper hand, you know, for if I become too impertinent, 399 00:24:57.200 --> 00:25:00.880 you can always stop payment of your checks. That isn't 400 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:03.920 a very polite thing to say. But you can't expect 401 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:06.799 me to have any manners. A found le An asylum 402 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:11.920 isn't a young lady's finishing school, You know, Daddy, It 403 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:14.640 isn't the work that is going to be hard in college. 404 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.920 It's the play. Half the time, I don't know what 405 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:21.240 the girls are talking about. Their jokes seem to relate 406 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:24.000 to a past that every one but me has shared. 407 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:27.440 I'm a foreigner in the world and I don't understand 408 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:31.519 the language. It's a miserable feeling. I've had it all 409 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:35.400 my life. At the high school, the girls would stand 410 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:38.599 in groups and just look at me. I was queer 411 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:42.680 and different, and everybody knew it. I could feel John 412 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:46.160 Greer Home written on my face, And when a few 413 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:48.599 charitable ones would make a point of coming up and 414 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:52.920 saying something polite, I hated every one of them, the 415 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:57.279 charitable ones most of all. Nobody here knows that I 416 00:25:57.359 --> 00:26:01.160 was brought up in an asylum. I old Sallie McBride 417 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:03.799 that my father and mother were dead, and that a kind, 418 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:07.000 old gentleman was sending me to college, which is entirely 419 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:09.920 true so far as it goes. I don't want you 420 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:12.279 to think I'm a coward, but I do want to 421 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:15.480 be like the other girls, and that dreadful home looming 422 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:19.559 over my childhood is the one great, big difference if 423 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:21.799 I can turn my back on that and shut out 424 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:25.480 the remembrance, I think I might be just as desirable 425 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:28.759 as any other girl. I don't believe there's any real 426 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:34.799 underneath difference, do you anyway? Sallie McBride likes me? Yours ever? 427 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:42.240 Judy Abbott, Nay Jerusha Saturday morning. I've just been reading 428 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:46.240 this letter over and it sounds pretty uncheerful. But can't 429 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:48.960 you guess that I have a special topic do Monday morning, 430 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:55.319 and a review in geometry and a very sneezy cold Sunday. 431 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:59.359 I forgot to post this yesterday, so I will add 432 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:02.839 an indignant post grip. We had a bishop this morning, 433 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:06.279 and what do you think he said? The most beneficent 434 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.720 promise made us in the Bible? 435 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.039 Is this? 436 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:11.960 The poor ye have always with you. They were put 437 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:16.400 here in order to keep us charitable. The poor please 438 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:19.920 observe being a sort of useful domestic animal. If I 439 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:22.920 hadn't grown into such a perfect lady, I should have 440 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:27.200 gone up after service and told him what I thought. 441 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:33.400 Twenty fifth October, Dear Daddy long Legs, I'm in the 442 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:35.799 basketball team and you ought to see the bruise on 443 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:39.359 my left shoulder. It's blue and mahogany with little streaks 444 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:42.920 of orange. Julia Pendleton tried for the team, but she 445 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.599 didn't get in. 446 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.200 Hooray. 447 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:49.200 You see what a mean disposition I have. College gets 448 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:52.559 nicer and nicer. I like the girls and the teachers, 449 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:55.240 and the classes in the campus and the things to eat. 450 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:58.319 We have ice cream twice a week and we never 451 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:02.200 have cornmeal mush. You only wanted to hear from me 452 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:04.960 once a month, didn't you, And I've been peppering you 453 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:08.559 with letters every few days. But I've been so excited 454 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:11.720 about all these new adventures that I must talk to somebody, 455 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:15.720 and you're the only one I know. Please excuse my exuberance. 456 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:18.960 I'll settle pretty soon. If my letters bore you, you 457 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:22.559 can always toss them into the waste basket. I promise 458 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:26.599 not to write another till the middle of November. Yours, 459 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:35.160 most loquaciously, Judy Abbott, fifteenth November. Dear Daddy long legs, 460 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:39.559 listen to what I've learned today. The area of the 461 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:42.960 convex surface of this frustum of a regular pyramid is 462 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:45.519 half the product of the sum of the perimeters of 463 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:48.759 its bases by the altitude of either of its trapezoids. 464 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:52.599 It doesn't sound true, but it is. I can prove it. 465 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:57.160 You've never heard about my clothes, have you, Daddy, six dresses, 466 00:28:57.240 --> 00:29:00.759 all new and beautiful and bought for me, handed down 467 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:04.400 from somebody bigger. Perhaps you don't realize what a climax 468 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:07.279 that makes in the career of an Orthan. You gave 469 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:10.319 them to me, and I am very, very, very much obliged. 470 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:14.960 It's a fine thing to be educated, but nothing compared 471 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:20.200 to the dizzying experience of owning six new dresses. Miss Pritchard, 472 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:23.680 who is on the visiting committee, picked them out, not 473 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:28.480 Miss Lippett, Thank goodness. I have an evening dress pink 474 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:33.000 mul over silk. I'm perfectly beautiful in that, and a 475 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:36.400 blue church dress, and a dinner dress of red veiling 476 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:40.119 with oriental trimming makes me look like a gypsy. And 477 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:43.640 another of rose colored shalli and a gray street suit, 478 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:47.880 and an every day dress for classes. That wouldn't be 479 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:52.119 an awfully big wardrobe for Julia Rutledge Pendleton perhaps, but 480 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:57.480 for Jerusha Abbot. Oh my, I suppose you're thinking now what. 481 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:59.079 A frivolous, shallow little. 482 00:29:58.880 --> 00:30:01.559 Beast she is, and what a waste of money to 483 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:05.839 educate a girl. But Daddy, if you'd been dressed in 484 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:09.799 checked Ginghams all your life, you'd appreciate how I feel. 485 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:13.079 And when I started in the high school, I entered 486 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:17.240 upon another period even worse than the checked Gingham's, the 487 00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:21.480 poor box. You can't know how I dreaded appearing in 488 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:25.599 school in those miserable poor box dresses. I was perfectly 489 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:27.640 sure to be put down in class next to the 490 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:30.720 girl who first owned my dress, and she would whisper 491 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:33.359 and giggle and point it out to the others. The 492 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:36.759 bitterness of wearing your enemies cast off clothes eats into 493 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:39.519 your soul. If I wore silk stockings for the rest 494 00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:41.880 of my life, I don't believe I could obliterate the 495 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:46.880 scar Latest war bulletin news from the scene of action 496 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:50.680 at the Fourth Watch on Thursday the thirteenth of November, 497 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:54.079 Hannibal routed the advance guard of the Romans and led 498 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:57.759 the Carthaginian forces over the mountains into the plains of Casilinum. 499 00:30:58.440 --> 00:31:02.440 A cohort of light armed Numidians engaged the infantry of 500 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:08.160 Quintus Fabus Maximus two battles and light skirmishing Romans repulsed 501 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:11.720 with heavy losses. I have the honor of being your 502 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:17.240 special correspondent from the front j abbott p S. I 503 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:20.279 know I'm not to expect any letters in return, and 504 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:23.720 I've been warned not to bother you with questions, But 505 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:27.880 tell me, Daddy, just this once. Are you awfully old 506 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:31.839 or just a little old? And are you perfectly bald 507 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:36.279 or just a little bald? It is very difficult thinking 508 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:39.279 about you in the abstract, like a theorem in geometry. 509 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:43.200 Given a tall rich man who hates girls but is 510 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:46.640 very generous to one quite impertinent girl, what does he 511 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:53.960 look like? R? S v P. Nineteenth December. Dear Daddy 512 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:57.680 long Legs, you never answered my question, and it was 513 00:31:57.880 --> 00:32:02.759 very important. Are you bald? I have it planned exactly 514 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:06.400 what you look like, very satisfactorily until I reach the 515 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:09.519 top of your head, and then I am stuck. I 516 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:12.559 can't decide whether you have white hair or black hair, 517 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:15.559 or sort of sprinkling gray hair, or maybe none at all. 518 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:19.960 Here is your portrait, but the problem is shall I 519 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:22.799 add some hair? Would you like to know what color 520 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:26.839 your eyes are? They're gray and your eyebrows stick out 521 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:30.559 like a porch roof. Beetling, they're called in novels. And 522 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:33.079 your mouth is a straight line with a tendency to 523 00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:35.960 turn down at the corners. Oh you see, I know 524 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:39.759 you're a snappy old thing with a temper. Chapel Bell, 525 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:46.319 nine forty five PM. I have a new unbreakable rule. Never, 526 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:49.319 never to study at night, no matter how many written 527 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:53.000 reviews are coming in the morning. Instead, I read just 528 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:57.000 plain books. I have to, you know, because there are 529 00:32:57.039 --> 00:33:01.079 eighteen blank years behind me. You wouldn't believe, Daddy, what 530 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:04.359 an abyss of ignorance my mind is. I am just 531 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:08.359 realizing the depths myself. The things that most girls with 532 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:10.920 a properly assorted family and a home and friends in 533 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:13.880 a library know by absorption, I have never heard of. 534 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:18.759 For example, I never read Mother Goose or David Copperfield 535 00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:23.559 or Ivan Hoe, or Cinderella or Bluebeard or Robinson Crusoe 536 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:27.519 or Jane Eyre or Alice in Wonderland or a word 537 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:31.480 of Rudyard Kipling. I didn't know that Henry the eighth 538 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:35.359 was married more than once, or that Shelley was a poet. 539 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:38.960 I didn't know that people used to be monkeys, and 540 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:42.000 that the Garden of Eden was a beautiful myth. I 541 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:46.240 didn't know that r l S stood for Robert Louis Stevenson, 542 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:50.960 or that George Eliot was a lady. I had never 543 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:54.079 seen a picture of them ownA lissa. And it's true, 544 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:57.359 but you won't believe it. I had never heard of 545 00:33:57.480 --> 00:34:01.160 Sherlock Holmes. Now I know all these things, and a 546 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:03.960 lot of others besides. But you can see how much 547 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:07.160 I need to catch up. And oh but it's fun. 548 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:10.760 I look forward all day to evening. And then I 549 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:13.760 put an engaged on the door, and get into my 550 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:17.280 nice red bathrobe and furry slippers, and pile all the 551 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:19.800 cushions behind me on the couch, and light the brass 552 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:22.599 a student lamp at my elbow, and read and read 553 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:26.119 and read. One book isn't enough. I have four going 554 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:30.599 at once. Just now there are Tennyson's poems, and Vanity 555 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:35.800 Fair and Kipling's Plain Tails and don't laugh Little Women. 556 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:38.679 I find that I am the only girl in college 557 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:42.280 who wasn't brought up on little women. I haven't told anybody, 558 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:46.079 though that would stamp me as queer. I just quietly 559 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:47.880 went and bought it with a dollar twelve of my 560 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:52.440 last month's allowance, and the next time somebody mentions pickled limes, 561 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:56.480 I'll know what she is talking about. Ten o'clock bell. 562 00:34:57.199 --> 00:35:03.719 This is a very interrupted letter Saturday, Sir, I have 563 00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:07.320 the honor to report fresh explorations in the field of geometry. 564 00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:11.239 On Friday last we abandoned our former works in parallela 565 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:15.760 pipeds and proceeded to truncated prisms. We are finding the 566 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:21.880 road rough and a very uphill Sunday. The Christmas holidays 567 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:25.280 begin next week and the trunks are up. The corridors 568 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:28.119 are so filled up that you can hardly get through, 569 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:32.480 and everybody is so bubbling over with excitement that studying 570 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:36.039 is getting left out. I'm going to have a beautiful 571 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:39.519 time in vacation. There's another freshman who lives in Texas 572 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:42.800 staying behind, and we are planning to take long walks 573 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:45.840 and if there's any ice learned to skate, then there 574 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:48.440 is still the whole library to be read and three 575 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:51.400 empty weeks to do it in. Goodbye, Daddy, I hope 576 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:54.480 that you are feeling as happy as I am. Yours Ever, 577 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:59.719 Judy p. S. Don't forget to answer my question. If 578 00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:03.440 you don't want the trouble of writing, have your secretary telegraph. 579 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:07.800 He can just say mister Smith is quite bald, or 580 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:11.719 mister Smith is not bald, or mister Smith has white hair, 581 00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:14.559 and you can deduct the twenty five cents out of 582 00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:22.039 my allowance. Goodbye till January and a Merry Christmas. End 583 00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:28.119 of Part two, Part three towards the end of the 584 00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:35.079 Christmas vacation exact date unknown. Dear Daddy long Legs. Is 585 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:38.480 it snowing where you are? All the world that I 586 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:41.079 see from my tower is draped in white, and the 587 00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:45.440 flakes are coming down as big as popcorns. It's late afternoon. 588 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:49.400 The sun is just setting a cold yellow color behind 589 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:52.559 some colder violet hills, and I am up in my 590 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:57.480 window seat using the last light to write to you. 591 00:36:57.480 --> 00:37:01.360 Your five gold pieces were surprise. I'm not used to 592 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:05.599 receiving Christmas presents. You have already given me such lots 593 00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:09.280 of things. Everything I have. You know that I don't 594 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:12.599 quite feel that I deserve extras, but I like them 595 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:15.719 just the same. You want to know what I bought 596 00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:19.760 with my money? Number one, a silver watch in a 597 00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:22.400 leather case to wear on my wrist and get me 598 00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:30.000 to recitations in time. Number two Matthew Arnold's Poems. Number three, 599 00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:35.679 A hot water bottle. Number four, a steamer rug. My 600 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:40.880 tower is cold. Number five. Five hundred sheets of yellow 601 00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:45.119 manuscript paper. I'm going to commence being an author pretty soon. 602 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:51.840 Number six. A dictionary of synonyms to enlarge the author's vocabulary. 603 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:57.360 Number seven. I don't much like to confess this last item, 604 00:37:57.519 --> 00:38:02.320 but I will. A pair of silk stockings. And now, Daddy, 605 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:05.679 never say I don't tell all. It was a very 606 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:08.400 low motive, if you must know it, that prompted the 607 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:13.199 silk stockings. Julia Pendleton comes into my room to do geometry, 608 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:15.880 and she sits cross legged on the couch and wears 609 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:19.960 silk stockings every night. But just wait, as soon as 610 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:22.599 she gets back from vacation, I shall go in and 611 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:26.639 sit on her couch in my silk stockings. You see, Daddy. 612 00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:29.199 It's a miserable creature that I am. But at least 613 00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:33.000 I'm honest. And you knew already from my asylum record 614 00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:37.760 that I wasn't perfect, didn't you to recapitulate? That's the 615 00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:41.559 way the English instructor begins every other sentence. I am 616 00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:45.199 very much obliged for my seven presents. I'm pretending to 617 00:38:45.199 --> 00:38:47.440 myself that they came in a box from my family 618 00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:51.800 in California. The watch is from father, the rug from mother, 619 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:55.280 the hot water bottle from grandmother, who is always worrying 620 00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:58.239 for fear I shall catch cold in this climate. And 621 00:38:58.400 --> 00:39:01.519 the yellow paper form my little brother Harry. My sister 622 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:05.320 Isabelle gave me the silk stockings, and Aunt Susan the 623 00:39:05.320 --> 00:39:10.199 Matthew Arnold poems. Uncle Harry, little Harry is named after him, 624 00:39:10.679 --> 00:39:14.360 gave me the dictionary. He wanted to send chocolates, but 625 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:18.719 I insisted on synonyms. You don't object, do you to 626 00:39:18.800 --> 00:39:22.800 playing the part of a composite family? And now shall 627 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:25.400 I tell you about my vacation? Or are you only 628 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:28.840 interested in my education? As such? I hope you appreciate 629 00:39:28.880 --> 00:39:32.360 the delicate shade of meaning in as such. It is 630 00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:36.480 the latest addition to my vocabulary. The girl from Texas 631 00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:40.599 is named Lorona Fenton. Almost as funny as Jerusha, isn't it. 632 00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:44.159 I like her, but not so much as Sallie McBride. 633 00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:47.960 I shall never like anyone so much as Sally except you. 634 00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:51.280 I must always like you the best of all, because 635 00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:55.039 you're my whole family rolled into one. Lorona and I 636 00:39:55.199 --> 00:39:59.000 and two sophomores have walked cross country every pleasant day 637 00:39:59.440 --> 00:40:03.039 and explore Lord the whole neighborhood, dressed in short skirts 638 00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:06.559 and nitch jackets and caps, and carrying shiny sticks to 639 00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:10.599 whack things with. Once we walked into town four miles 640 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:13.360 and stopped at a restaurant where the college girls go 641 00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:17.840 for dinner broiled lobster thirty five cents and for dessert 642 00:40:18.000 --> 00:40:23.039 buckwheat cakes and maple syrup fifteen cents. Nourishing and cheap. 643 00:40:23.840 --> 00:40:26.679 It was such a lark, especially for me, because it 644 00:40:26.719 --> 00:40:29.920 was so awfully different from the asylum. I feel like 645 00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:33.719 an escaped convict every time I leave the campus. Before 646 00:40:33.719 --> 00:40:36.000 I thought, I started to tell the others what an 647 00:40:36.079 --> 00:40:39.079 experience I was having. The cat was almost out of 648 00:40:39.119 --> 00:40:41.320 the bag when I grabbed it by its tail and 649 00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:44.480 pulled it back. It's awfully hard for me not to 650 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:48.440 tell everything I know. I'm a very confiding soul by nature. 651 00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:51.880 If I didn't have you to tell things too, I'd burst. 652 00:40:53.239 --> 00:40:56.480 We had a molasses candy poll last Friday evening, given 653 00:40:56.519 --> 00:40:59.000 by the house matron of Ferguson to the left behinds 654 00:40:59.000 --> 00:41:02.039 in the other halls. There were twenty two of us altogether, 655 00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:05.920 freshmen and sophomores, and juniors and seniors, all united in 656 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:10.280 amicable accord. The kitchen is huge, with copper pots and 657 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:14.000 kettles hanging in rows on the stone wall. The littlest 658 00:41:14.039 --> 00:41:16.880 castorle among them about the size of a wash boiler. 659 00:41:17.360 --> 00:41:20.679 Four hundred girls live in Ferguson the chef in a 660 00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:23.840 white cap and apron, fetched out twenty two other white 661 00:41:23.840 --> 00:41:27.159 caps and aprons. I can't imagine where he got so many, 662 00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:31.559 and we all turned ourselves into cooks. It was great fun, 663 00:41:32.199 --> 00:41:35.960 though I have seen better candy. When it was finally finished, 664 00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:38.119 and ourselves in the kitchen and the door knobs all 665 00:41:38.159 --> 00:41:41.679 thoroughly sticky, we organized a procession, and, still in our 666 00:41:41.719 --> 00:41:44.760 caps and aprons, each carrying a big fork or spoon 667 00:41:44.840 --> 00:41:47.960 or frying pan, we marched through the empty corridors to 668 00:41:48.039 --> 00:41:51.599 the officer's parlor, where half a dozen professors and instructors 669 00:41:51.639 --> 00:41:55.440 were passing a trinquill evening. We serenaded them with college 670 00:41:55.440 --> 00:42:00.760 songs and offered refreshments. They accepted politely but dubiously. We 671 00:42:00.880 --> 00:42:04.480 left them sucking chunks of molasses candy, sticky and speechless. 672 00:42:05.280 --> 00:42:09.199 So you see, Daddy, my education progresses. Don't you really 673 00:42:09.199 --> 00:42:11.039 think that I ought to be an artist instead of 674 00:42:11.079 --> 00:42:14.440 an author. Vacation will be over in two days, and 675 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:16.679 I shall be glad to see the girls again. My 676 00:42:16.800 --> 00:42:20.199 tower is just a trifle lonely. When nine people occupy 677 00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:22.360 a house that was built for four hundred, they do 678 00:42:22.559 --> 00:42:26.639 rattle around a bit. Eleven pages. Poor daddy, you must 679 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:29.679 be tired. I meant this to be a short, little 680 00:42:29.760 --> 00:42:32.400 thank you note, but when I get started, I seem 681 00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:35.159 to have a ready pen. Good Bye and thank you 682 00:42:35.199 --> 00:42:38.280 for thinking of me. I should be perfectly happy, except 683 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:42.119 for one little threatening cloud on the horizon. Examinations come 684 00:42:42.159 --> 00:42:48.159 in February. Yours with love, Judy p. S. Maybe it 685 00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:51.440 isn't proper to send love. If it isn't, please excuse, 686 00:42:51.800 --> 00:42:54.360 but I must love somebody, and there is only you 687 00:42:54.440 --> 00:42:57.800 and missus Lippett to choose between. So you see, you'll 688 00:42:57.800 --> 00:42:59.840 have to put up with it, dear daddy, because I 689 00:42:59.840 --> 00:43:06.079 can can't love her on the eve. Dear Daddy long legs, 690 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:09.679 you should see the way this college is studying. We've 691 00:43:09.679 --> 00:43:14.000 forgotten we ever had a vacation. Fifty seven irregular verbs 692 00:43:14.039 --> 00:43:16.760 have I introduced to my brain in the past four days. 693 00:43:17.199 --> 00:43:21.000 I'm only hoping they'll stay till after examinations. Some of 694 00:43:21.079 --> 00:43:23.559 the girls sell their textbooks when they're through with them, 695 00:43:23.719 --> 00:43:27.199 but I intend to keep mine. Then, after I've graduated, 696 00:43:27.239 --> 00:43:29.559 I shall have my whole education in a row in 697 00:43:29.599 --> 00:43:32.320 the bookcase, and when I need to use any detail, 698 00:43:32.400 --> 00:43:35.360 I can turn to it without the slightest hesitation. So 699 00:43:35.480 --> 00:43:38.039 much easier and more accurate than trying to keep it 700 00:43:38.079 --> 00:43:42.360 in your head. Julia Pendleton dropped in this evening to 701 00:43:42.440 --> 00:43:45.679 pay a social call and stayed a solid hour. She 702 00:43:45.760 --> 00:43:48.559 got started on the subject of family, and I couldn't 703 00:43:48.679 --> 00:43:51.880 switch her off. She wanted to know what my mother's 704 00:43:51.920 --> 00:43:55.280 maiden name was. Did you ever hear such an impertinent 705 00:43:55.400 --> 00:43:57.960 question to ask of a person from a foundling asylum. 706 00:43:58.440 --> 00:44:00.639 I didn't have the courage to say I didn't know, 707 00:44:01.199 --> 00:44:03.840 so I just miserably plumped on the first name I 708 00:44:03.880 --> 00:44:06.679 could think of, and that was Montgomery. Then she wanted 709 00:44:06.679 --> 00:44:09.920 to know whether I belonged to the Massachusetts Montgomery's or 710 00:44:09.960 --> 00:44:14.079 the Virginia Montgomery's. Her mother was a Rutherford. The family 711 00:44:14.119 --> 00:44:16.920 came over in the Ark and were connected by marriage 712 00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:19.880 with Henry the eighth. On her father's side. They date 713 00:44:19.960 --> 00:44:23.079 back further than Adam. On the topmost branches of her 714 00:44:23.079 --> 00:44:26.639 family tree, there's a superior breed of monkeys with very fine, 715 00:44:26.800 --> 00:44:30.880 silky hair and extra long tails. I meant to write 716 00:44:30.920 --> 00:44:34.079 you a nice, cheerful, entertaining letter tonight, but I'm too 717 00:44:34.119 --> 00:44:38.480 sleepy and scared. The freshman's lot is not a happy one. 718 00:44:38.719 --> 00:44:46.079 Yours about to be examined. Judy Abbot Sunday, Dearest Daddy 719 00:44:46.119 --> 00:44:50.960 long Legs. I have some awful, awful, awful news to 720 00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:54.159 tell you, but I won't begin with it. I'll try 721 00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:57.440 to get you in a good humor first. Jerusha Abbot 722 00:44:57.440 --> 00:45:01.239 has commenced to be an author a whom entitled from 723 00:45:01.280 --> 00:45:05.159 My Tower appears in the February Monthly on the first page, 724 00:45:05.239 --> 00:45:08.199 which is a very great honor for a freshman. My 725 00:45:08.280 --> 00:45:11.000 English instructor stopped me on the way out from chapel 726 00:45:11.079 --> 00:45:13.800 last night and said it was a charming piece of work, 727 00:45:14.159 --> 00:45:17.199 except for the sixth line, which had too many feet. 728 00:45:17.880 --> 00:45:19.639 I will send you a copy in case you care 729 00:45:19.719 --> 00:45:22.519 to read it. Let me see if I can think 730 00:45:22.519 --> 00:45:23.639 of something else pleasant. 731 00:45:24.239 --> 00:45:24.400 Oh. 732 00:45:24.480 --> 00:45:28.880 Yes, I'm learning to skate and can glide about quite respectably. 733 00:45:28.920 --> 00:45:32.480 All by myself. Also, I've learned how to slide down 734 00:45:32.480 --> 00:45:34.880 a rope from the roof of the gymnasium, and I 735 00:45:34.920 --> 00:45:37.880 can vault a bar three feet and six inches high, 736 00:45:38.199 --> 00:45:41.079 I hope shortly to pull up to four feet. We 737 00:45:41.159 --> 00:45:43.840 had a very inspiring sermon this morning, preached by the 738 00:45:43.840 --> 00:45:48.400 Bishop of Alabama. His text was judge, not that ye 739 00:45:48.559 --> 00:45:51.920 be not judged. It was about the necessity of overlooking 740 00:45:51.960 --> 00:45:56.079 mistakes in others and not discouraging people by harsh judgments. 741 00:45:56.559 --> 00:45:59.920 I wish you might have heard it. This is the sunniest, 742 00:46:00.079 --> 00:46:04.320 most blinding winter afternoon, with icicles dripping from the fir trees, 743 00:46:04.679 --> 00:46:07.039 and all the world bending under a weight of snow 744 00:46:07.679 --> 00:46:12.079 except me. I'm bending under a weight of sorrow. Now 745 00:46:12.079 --> 00:46:16.360 for the news courage, Judy, you must tell, are you 746 00:46:16.559 --> 00:46:20.199 surely in a good humor? I failed in mathematics and 747 00:46:20.280 --> 00:46:23.639 Latin prose. I am tutoring in them and will take 748 00:46:23.679 --> 00:46:27.639 another examination next month. I'm sorry if you're disappointed, but 749 00:46:27.760 --> 00:46:30.559 otherwise I don't care a bit because I've learned such 750 00:46:30.599 --> 00:46:33.800 a lot of things not mentioned in the catalog. I've 751 00:46:33.840 --> 00:46:38.280 read seventeen novels and bushels of poetry. Really necessary novels 752 00:46:38.559 --> 00:46:42.199 like Vanity Fair and Richard Feverel and Alice in Wonderland, 753 00:46:42.639 --> 00:46:46.639 also Emerson's Essays and Lockhart's Life of Scott and the 754 00:46:46.639 --> 00:46:50.079 first volume of Gibson's Roman Empire, and half of ben 755 00:46:50.159 --> 00:46:54.559 Venudo Sellini's life. Wasn't he entertaining? He used to saunter 756 00:46:54.679 --> 00:46:58.679 out and casually kill a man before breakfast. So you see, Daddy, 757 00:46:59.079 --> 00:47:02.679 I'm much more intelligent than if i'd just stuck to Latin. 758 00:47:03.519 --> 00:47:06.440 Will you forgive me this once if I promise never 759 00:47:06.519 --> 00:47:14.320 to fail again? Yours in sackcloth, Judy, Dear Daddy long legs. 760 00:47:15.039 --> 00:47:16.960 This is an extra letter in the middle of the 761 00:47:17.039 --> 00:47:21.920 month because I'm rather lonely tonight. It's awfully stormy. All 762 00:47:22.000 --> 00:47:24.159 the lights are out on the campus, but I drank 763 00:47:24.199 --> 00:47:27.800 black coffee and I can't go to sleep. I had 764 00:47:27.840 --> 00:47:30.920 a supper party this evening, consisting of Sally and Julia 765 00:47:30.960 --> 00:47:35.079 and Leonora Fenton and sardines and toasted muffins and salad 766 00:47:35.199 --> 00:47:38.960 and fudge and coffee. Julia said she had a good time, 767 00:47:39.239 --> 00:47:43.079 but Sally stayed to help wash the dishes. I might 768 00:47:43.360 --> 00:47:46.440 very usefully put some time on Latin tonight, but there's 769 00:47:46.480 --> 00:47:49.559 no doubt about it. I'm a very languid Latin scholar. 770 00:47:50.280 --> 00:47:55.239 We've finished Livy and Desenectute and now engaged with d'amikitia 771 00:47:55.719 --> 00:48:00.679 pronounced damn akitia. Should you mind just for a little 772 00:48:00.719 --> 00:48:04.800 while pretending you are my grandmother? Sally has one, and 773 00:48:04.880 --> 00:48:08.159 Julia and Leonora each too, and they were all comparing 774 00:48:08.199 --> 00:48:11.400 them tonight. I can't think of anything I'd rather have. 775 00:48:11.840 --> 00:48:15.519 It's such a respectable relationship, So if you really don't object. 776 00:48:16.000 --> 00:48:18.599 When I went into town yesterday I saw the sweetest 777 00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:22.079 cap of clooney lace trimmed with lavender ribbon. I am 778 00:48:22.119 --> 00:48:23.840 going to make you a present of it on your 779 00:48:23.880 --> 00:48:27.679 eighty third birthday. That's the clock in the chapel tower, 780 00:48:27.719 --> 00:48:32.639 striking twelve. I believe I am sleepy after all. Good night, Granny, 781 00:48:33.039 --> 00:48:38.480 I love you, Dearly Judy the IDEs of March, Dear 782 00:48:38.639 --> 00:48:43.360 d LLL. I am studying Latin prose composition. I have 783 00:48:43.599 --> 00:48:47.159 been studying it. I shall be studying it. I shall 784 00:48:47.199 --> 00:48:50.679 be about to have been studying it. My re examination 785 00:48:50.800 --> 00:48:53.599 comes the seventh hour next Tuesday, and I'm going to 786 00:48:53.679 --> 00:48:56.719 pass or bust. So you may expect to hear from 787 00:48:56.719 --> 00:49:00.480 me next, whole and happy and free from conditions or 788 00:49:00.679 --> 00:49:04.360 in fragments. I will write a respectable letter when it's 789 00:49:04.400 --> 00:49:07.280 over to night. I have a pressing engagement with the 790 00:49:07.280 --> 00:49:15.360 oblative absolute. Yours, in evident haste j A. Twenty sixth March, 791 00:49:16.039 --> 00:49:20.639 Mister D. L. L. Smith, Sir, you never answer my questions. 792 00:49:21.000 --> 00:49:23.840 You never show the slightest interest in anything I do. 793 00:49:24.320 --> 00:49:28.000 You are probably the horridest one of all those horrid trustees. 794 00:49:28.360 --> 00:49:31.000 And the reason you are educating me is not because 795 00:49:31.039 --> 00:49:33.119 you care a bit about me, but for a sense 796 00:49:33.159 --> 00:49:36.280 of duty. I don't know a single thing about you. 797 00:49:36.800 --> 00:49:40.159 I don't even know your name. It is very uninspiring 798 00:49:40.239 --> 00:49:43.079 writing to a thing. I haven't a doubt but that 799 00:49:43.239 --> 00:49:47.119 you throw my letters into the waste basket without reading them. Hereafter, 800 00:49:47.440 --> 00:49:51.199 I shall write only about work. My re examinations in 801 00:49:51.320 --> 00:49:54.960 Latin and geometry came last week. I passed them both, 802 00:49:55.039 --> 00:50:01.760 and now free from conditions, yours truly, Jerusha Abbot, second April. 803 00:50:02.519 --> 00:50:07.199 Dear Daddy long Legs, I am a beast. Please forget 804 00:50:07.199 --> 00:50:10.239 about that dreadful letter I sent you last week. I 805 00:50:10.360 --> 00:50:13.599 was feeling terribly lonely and miserable and sore, throaty the 806 00:50:13.719 --> 00:50:16.519 night I wrote. I didn't know it, but I was 807 00:50:16.800 --> 00:50:21.079 just sickening for tonsilitis and gripe and lots of things mixed. 808 00:50:21.880 --> 00:50:24.719 I'm in the infirmary now and have been here for 809 00:50:24.800 --> 00:50:28.079 six days. This is the first time they would let 810 00:50:28.119 --> 00:50:30.360 me sit up and have a pen and paper. The 811 00:50:30.440 --> 00:50:34.239 head nurse is very bossy, but I've been thinking about 812 00:50:34.239 --> 00:50:36.440 it all the time, and I shan't get well until 813 00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:39.280 you forgive me. Here is a picture of the way 814 00:50:39.320 --> 00:50:42.039 I look with a bandage tied around my head in 815 00:50:42.159 --> 00:50:46.920 rabbit's ears. Doesn't that arouse your sympathy. I am having 816 00:50:47.039 --> 00:50:51.159 sublingual land swelling, and I've been studying physiology all the 817 00:50:51.280 --> 00:50:55.360 year without ever hearing of sublingual glands. How futile a 818 00:50:55.440 --> 00:50:59.559 thing is education. I can't write any more. I get 819 00:50:59.639 --> 00:51:03.000 rather shy when I sit up too long. Please forgive 820 00:51:03.039 --> 00:51:06.920 me for being impertinent and ungrateful. I was badly brought up. 821 00:51:07.760 --> 00:51:14.800 Yours with love, Judy Abbott, the Infirmary, fourth April, Dearest 822 00:51:14.960 --> 00:51:19.760 Daddy long Legs. Yesterday evening, just towards dark, when I 823 00:51:19.840 --> 00:51:22.079 was sitting up in bed, looking out at the rain 824 00:51:22.159 --> 00:51:25.039 and feeling awfully bored, with life in a great institution. 825 00:51:25.360 --> 00:51:28.159 The nurse appeared with a long white box addressed to 826 00:51:28.199 --> 00:51:32.119 me and filled with the loveliest pink rose buds and 827 00:51:32.320 --> 00:51:35.360 much nicer still, it contained a card with a very 828 00:51:35.400 --> 00:51:38.920 polite message written in a funny, little uphill backhand, but 829 00:51:39.039 --> 00:51:42.440 one which shows a great deal of character. Thank you, 830 00:51:42.559 --> 00:51:47.000 Daddy a thousand times. Your flowers make the first real, 831 00:51:47.239 --> 00:51:50.519 true present I ever received in my life. If you 832 00:51:50.559 --> 00:51:52.400 want to know what a baby I am, I lay 833 00:51:52.519 --> 00:51:55.639 down and cried because I was so happy. Now that 834 00:51:55.719 --> 00:51:58.320 I am sure you read my letters, I'll make them 835 00:51:58.440 --> 00:52:01.239 much more interesting so they'll be worth keeping in a 836 00:52:01.280 --> 00:52:04.440 safe with red tape round them. Only. Please take out 837 00:52:04.440 --> 00:52:07.360 that dreadful one and burn it. I'd hate to think 838 00:52:07.360 --> 00:52:08.280 that you ever read it. 839 00:52:08.320 --> 00:52:08.599 Over. 840 00:52:09.199 --> 00:52:13.119 Thank you for making a very sick, cross miserable freshman cheerful. 841 00:52:13.840 --> 00:52:16.679 Probably you have lots of loving family and friends, and 842 00:52:16.760 --> 00:52:18.840 you don't know what it feels like to be alone, 843 00:52:19.239 --> 00:52:24.159 but I do. Goodbye. I'll promise never to be horrid again, 844 00:52:24.440 --> 00:52:28.039 because now I know you're a real person. Also, i'll 845 00:52:28.039 --> 00:52:31.599 promise never to bother you with any more questions. Do 846 00:52:31.639 --> 00:52:39.239 you still hate girls? Yours? Forever? Judy eighth hour Monday. 847 00:52:39.880 --> 00:52:42.840 Dear Daddy long Legs, I hope you aren't the trustee 848 00:52:42.880 --> 00:52:45.360 who sat on the toad it went off, I was 849 00:52:45.400 --> 00:52:48.280 told with quite a pop, So probably he was a 850 00:52:48.320 --> 00:52:51.920 fatter trustee. Do you remember the little dugout places with 851 00:52:52.000 --> 00:52:54.760 gratings over them by the laundry windows in the John 852 00:52:54.800 --> 00:52:58.599 Greer home. Every spring when the hop toad season opened, 853 00:52:59.000 --> 00:53:01.199 we used to form a collection of toads and keep 854 00:53:01.239 --> 00:53:04.760 them in those window holes, and occasionally they would spill 855 00:53:04.800 --> 00:53:08.280 over into the laundry, causing a very pleasurable commotion on 856 00:53:08.519 --> 00:53:11.840 wash day. We were severely punished in our activities in 857 00:53:11.880 --> 00:53:15.000 this direction, but in spite of all the discouragement, the 858 00:53:15.079 --> 00:53:18.840 toads would collect, and one day, well, I won't bore 859 00:53:18.880 --> 00:53:22.559 you with particulars, but somehow one of the fattest, biggest, 860 00:53:22.800 --> 00:53:26.519 juiciest toads got into one of those big leather armchairs 861 00:53:26.559 --> 00:53:30.480 in the trustees room, and that afternoon the trustees meeting. 862 00:53:31.199 --> 00:53:33.760 But I dare say you were there and recall the rest. 863 00:53:34.679 --> 00:53:38.320 Looking back dispassionately after a period of time, I will 864 00:53:38.320 --> 00:53:43.440 say that punishment was merited, and if I remember rightly adequate, 865 00:53:44.440 --> 00:53:47.320 I don't know why I'm in such a reminiscent mood, 866 00:53:47.400 --> 00:53:51.119 except that spring and the reappearance of toads always awakens 867 00:53:51.159 --> 00:53:54.920 the old acquisitive instinct. The only thing that keeps me 868 00:53:54.960 --> 00:53:57.679 from starting a collection is the fact that no rule 869 00:53:57.719 --> 00:54:03.360 exists against it. After Chapel Thursday, What do you think 870 00:54:03.440 --> 00:54:06.400 is my favorite book? Just now? I mean, I change 871 00:54:06.400 --> 00:54:11.840 every three days? Wuthering Heights. Emily Bronte was quite young 872 00:54:11.880 --> 00:54:14.159 when she wrote it, and had never been outside of 873 00:54:14.199 --> 00:54:18.159 Hailworth Churchyard. She had never known any men in her life. 874 00:54:18.519 --> 00:54:22.000 How could she imagine a man like Heathcliff. I couldn't 875 00:54:22.000 --> 00:54:24.519 do it. And I'm quite young and never outside the 876 00:54:24.599 --> 00:54:27.760 John Grier Asylum. I've had every chance in the world. 877 00:54:28.519 --> 00:54:31.159 Sometimes a dreadful fear comes over me that I'm not 878 00:54:31.280 --> 00:54:35.280 a genius. Will you be awfully disappointed, Daddy, if I 879 00:54:35.320 --> 00:54:39.039 don't turn out to be a great author. In the spring, 880 00:54:39.119 --> 00:54:42.079 when everything is so beautiful and green and budding, I 881 00:54:42.159 --> 00:54:45.400 feel like turning my back on lessons and running away 882 00:54:45.440 --> 00:54:47.800 to play with the weather. There are such a lot 883 00:54:47.800 --> 00:54:50.760 of adventures out in the fields. It's much more entertaining 884 00:54:50.840 --> 00:54:54.480 to live books than to write them. Ow that was 885 00:54:54.480 --> 00:54:57.159 a shriek, which brought Sallie and Julia, and for a 886 00:54:57.199 --> 00:55:00.760 disgusted moment the Senior from across the hall. It was 887 00:55:00.840 --> 00:55:04.880 caused by a centipede like this, only worse. Just as 888 00:55:04.920 --> 00:55:07.639 I had finished the last sentence and was thinking what 889 00:55:07.679 --> 00:55:10.920 to say next, plump it fell off the ceiling and 890 00:55:11.039 --> 00:55:13.920 landed at my side. I tipped two cups off the 891 00:55:14.000 --> 00:55:17.400 tea table in trying to get away. Sally whacked it 892 00:55:17.400 --> 00:55:19.400 with the back of my hair brush, which I shall 893 00:55:19.440 --> 00:55:22.159 never be able to use again, and killed the front end, 894 00:55:22.360 --> 00:55:25.639 but the rear fifty feet ran under the bureau and escaped. 895 00:55:26.239 --> 00:55:29.920 This dormitory, owing to its age and ivy covered walls, 896 00:55:30.199 --> 00:55:34.079 is full of centipedes. They are dreadful creatures. I'd rather 897 00:55:34.159 --> 00:55:39.760 find a tiger under the bed. Friday, nine thirty p m. 898 00:55:40.199 --> 00:55:43.280 Such a lot of troubles. I didn't hear the rising 899 00:55:43.320 --> 00:55:46.000 bell this morning. Then I broke my shoe string while 900 00:55:46.000 --> 00:55:48.920 I was hurrying to dress and dropped my collar button 901 00:55:48.960 --> 00:55:52.119 down my neck. I was late for breakfast and also 902 00:55:52.199 --> 00:55:56.719 for first hour recitation. I forgot to take any blotting paper, 903 00:55:56.719 --> 00:56:00.880 and my fountain pen leaked in trigonometry professor and I 904 00:56:00.920 --> 00:56:04.360 had a disagreement touching a little matter of logarithms. On 905 00:56:04.519 --> 00:56:07.599 looking it up, I found that she was right. We 906 00:56:07.639 --> 00:56:11.239 had mutton stew and pie plant for lunch. Hate them both. 907 00:56:11.480 --> 00:56:14.840 It tastes like the asylum. The post brought me nothing 908 00:56:14.920 --> 00:56:17.519 but Bill's, though I must say that I never do 909 00:56:17.599 --> 00:56:20.159 get anything else. My family are not the kind that 910 00:56:20.199 --> 00:56:24.000 write in English class. This afternoon we had an unexpected 911 00:56:24.039 --> 00:56:24.760 written lesson. 912 00:56:25.119 --> 00:56:25.719 This was it? 913 00:56:26.559 --> 00:56:30.880 I asked, no other thing, No other was denied. I 914 00:56:31.119 --> 00:56:36.440 offered being for it. The Mighty Merchant smiled Brazil. He 915 00:56:36.559 --> 00:56:40.039 twirled a button without a glance my way. But Madam, 916 00:56:40.599 --> 00:56:43.719 is there nothing else that we can show you today? 917 00:56:44.079 --> 00:56:46.280 That is a poem. I don't know who wrote it 918 00:56:46.400 --> 00:56:48.880 or what it means. It was simply printed out on 919 00:56:48.920 --> 00:56:51.880 the blackboard when we arrived, and we were ordered to 920 00:56:51.960 --> 00:56:55.119 comment upon it. When I read the first verse, I 921 00:56:55.159 --> 00:56:58.079 thought I had an idea. The Mighty Merchant was a 922 00:56:58.119 --> 00:57:02.760 divinity who distributes blessed in return for virtuous deeds. But 923 00:57:02.880 --> 00:57:05.199 when I got to the second verse and found him 924 00:57:05.199 --> 00:57:08.719 twirling a button, it seemed a blasphemous supposition, and I 925 00:57:08.840 --> 00:57:11.960 hastily changed my mind. The rest of the class was 926 00:57:11.960 --> 00:57:14.519 in the same predicament, and there we sat for three 927 00:57:14.599 --> 00:57:17.760 quarters of an hour with blank paper and equally blank minds. 928 00:57:18.440 --> 00:57:22.679 Getting an education is an awfully wearing process. But this 929 00:57:22.880 --> 00:57:26.840 didn't end the day. There's worse to come. It rained, 930 00:57:27.039 --> 00:57:29.320 so we couldn't play golf, but we had to go 931 00:57:29.360 --> 00:57:32.440 to gymnasium instead. The girl next to me banged my 932 00:57:32.480 --> 00:57:35.480 elbow with an Indian club. I got home to find 933 00:57:35.559 --> 00:57:38.440 that the box with my new blue Spring address had come, 934 00:57:38.639 --> 00:57:41.280 and the skirt was so tight that I couldn't sit down. 935 00:57:41.880 --> 00:57:44.480 Friday is sweeping day, and the maid had mixed all 936 00:57:44.519 --> 00:57:48.079 the papers on my desk. We had tombstone for dessert, 937 00:57:48.519 --> 00:57:52.079 milk and gelatin flavored with vanilla. We were kept in 938 00:57:52.159 --> 00:57:55.000 chapel twenty minutes later than usual to listen to a 939 00:57:55.039 --> 00:57:58.639 speech about womanly women. And then, just as I was 940 00:57:58.679 --> 00:58:01.519 settling down with a sigh of well earned relief, to 941 00:58:01.599 --> 00:58:04.679 the portrait of a lady, a girl named Ackerly, a 942 00:58:04.760 --> 00:58:09.199 dough faced, deadly, uninterminently stupid girl who sits next to 943 00:58:09.199 --> 00:58:12.159 me in Latin because her name begins with A. I 944 00:58:12.199 --> 00:58:15.679 wish missus Lippett had named me ZABRISKI came to ask 945 00:58:15.760 --> 00:58:19.000 if Monday's lesson commenced at paragraphs sixty nine or seventy 946 00:58:19.159 --> 00:58:23.280 and stayed one hour, she has just gone. Did you 947 00:58:23.320 --> 00:58:27.320 ever hear of such a discouraging series of events? It 948 00:58:27.400 --> 00:58:30.840 isn't the big troubles in life that require character. Anybody 949 00:58:30.840 --> 00:58:33.559 can rise to a crisis and face a crushing tragedy 950 00:58:33.599 --> 00:58:35.920 with courage, But to meet the petty hazards of the 951 00:58:36.000 --> 00:58:39.239 day with a laugh, I really think that requires spirit. 952 00:58:40.000 --> 00:58:42.800 It's the kind of character that I'm going to develop. 953 00:58:43.119 --> 00:58:45.840 I am going to pretend that all life is just 954 00:58:45.880 --> 00:58:48.719 a game which I must play as skillfully and fairly 955 00:58:48.760 --> 00:58:51.599 as I can. If I lose, I am going to 956 00:58:51.639 --> 00:58:55.400 shrug my shoulders and laugh. Also if I win. Anyway, 957 00:58:55.599 --> 00:58:57.920 I am going to be a sport. You will never 958 00:58:58.000 --> 00:59:01.519 hear me complain again, Daddy, Dear, because Julia wears silk 959 00:59:01.559 --> 00:59:06.159 stockings and centipedes drop off the wall. Yours ever, Judy 960 00:59:06.760 --> 00:59:14.360 answer soon. Twenty seventh May, Daddy long Legs esquire, Dear Sir, 961 00:59:15.000 --> 00:59:17.559 I am in receipt of a letter from Missus Lippett. 962 00:59:17.800 --> 00:59:20.840 She hopes that I am doing well in deportment and studies. 963 00:59:21.159 --> 00:59:23.880 Since I probably have no place to go this summer. 964 00:59:24.039 --> 00:59:26.119 She will let me come back to the asylum and 965 00:59:26.199 --> 00:59:29.960 work for my board until college opens. I hate the 966 00:59:30.079 --> 00:59:35.000 John Grier home. I'd rather die than go back yours 967 00:59:35.039 --> 00:59:42.559 most truthfully, Jerusha Abbott Cher Daddy, Jean blans lu etambric 968 00:59:43.159 --> 00:59:49.440 jesuistrehurus about the farm, parsca jeanne jenebin on a farm, 969 00:59:49.599 --> 00:59:53.880 don ma vie, and I'd hate to retu mer cha 970 00:59:54.119 --> 00:59:58.039 John Grier a wash dishes to lette. There would be 971 00:59:58.119 --> 01:00:04.440 danger of Calcaucho's afrouez happening. Parscaeget perdue ma hmilitae to 972 01:00:04.559 --> 01:00:08.320 autrefois a je pour that I would just break out 973 01:00:08.519 --> 01:00:13.480 calcajour a smash every cup and saucer, Don lameison, pardon 974 01:00:13.599 --> 01:00:19.320 breviete a paper ginnipo pas send demey Novelle parsque suis 975 01:00:19.400 --> 01:00:23.440 d'n french class a jet pou cou moisieur le prefaceur 976 01:00:23.800 --> 01:00:26.440 is going to call me on toute de suite. He 977 01:00:26.679 --> 01:00:35.280 did beauvoi juvou mme bouku Judy thirtieth May, Dear Daddy 978 01:00:35.320 --> 01:00:38.840 long legs, did you ever see this campus? This is 979 01:00:38.880 --> 01:00:42.199 merely a rhetorical question. Don't let it annoy you. It 980 01:00:42.320 --> 01:00:45.679 is a heavenly spot in May. All the shrubs are 981 01:00:45.679 --> 01:00:49.400 in blossom, and the trees are the loveliest, young green. 982 01:00:50.199 --> 01:00:53.760 Even the old pines look fresh and new. The grass 983 01:00:53.800 --> 01:00:57.159 is dotted with yellow dandelions, and hundreds of girls in 984 01:00:57.239 --> 01:01:01.519 blue and white and pink dresses. Everybody joyous and carefree 985 01:01:01.960 --> 01:01:05.320 for vacations coming, and with that to look forward to 986 01:01:05.599 --> 01:01:09.679 examinations don't count. Isn't that a happy frame of mind 987 01:01:09.760 --> 01:01:13.400 to be in? And oh daddy, I'm the happiest of 988 01:01:13.480 --> 01:01:17.079 all because I'm not in the asylum anymore. And I'm 989 01:01:17.119 --> 01:01:21.440 not anybody's nursemaid or typewriter or bookkeeper. I should have been, 990 01:01:21.559 --> 01:01:24.800 you know, except for you. I'm sorry now for all 991 01:01:24.840 --> 01:01:28.639 my past badnesses. I'm sorry I was ever impertinent to 992 01:01:28.760 --> 01:01:33.159 missus Lippet. I'm sorry I ever slapped Freddie Perkins. I'm 993 01:01:33.199 --> 01:01:35.360 sorry I ever filled the sugar. 994 01:01:35.000 --> 01:01:35.880 Bowl with salt. 995 01:01:36.239 --> 01:01:39.679 I'm sorry I ever made faces behind the trustees' backs. 996 01:01:40.199 --> 01:01:42.320 I'm going to be good and sweet and kind to 997 01:01:42.400 --> 01:01:46.000 everybody because I'm so happy, and this summer I'm going 998 01:01:46.039 --> 01:01:48.440 to write and write and write and begin to be 999 01:01:48.519 --> 01:01:53.039 a great author. Isn't that an exalted stand to take. Oh, 1000 01:01:53.119 --> 01:01:56.880 I'm developing a beautiful character. It droops a bit under 1001 01:01:56.920 --> 01:01:59.639 cold and frost, but it does grow fast when the 1002 01:01:59.639 --> 01:02:03.719 sunsh shines. That's the way with everybody. I don't agree 1003 01:02:03.760 --> 01:02:07.119 with the theory that adversity and sorrow and disappointment develop 1004 01:02:07.280 --> 01:02:10.199 moral strength. The happy people are the ones who are 1005 01:02:10.199 --> 01:02:14.119 bubbling over with kindliness. I have no faith in misanthropies. 1006 01:02:14.800 --> 01:02:18.440 Fine word, just learned it. You are not a misanthropy, 1007 01:02:18.480 --> 01:02:22.519 are you, Daddy? I started to tell you about the campus. 1008 01:02:22.960 --> 01:02:25.119 I wish you'd come for a little visit and let 1009 01:02:25.199 --> 01:02:28.239 me walk you about and say, that is the library. 1010 01:02:28.760 --> 01:02:32.440 This is the gas plant, daddy, dear. The gothic building 1011 01:02:32.480 --> 01:02:36.159 on your left is the Gymnasium, and the Tudor Romanesque 1012 01:02:36.199 --> 01:02:39.880 beside it is the new infirmary. Oh, I'm fine at 1013 01:02:39.880 --> 01:02:42.639 showing people about. I've done it all my life at 1014 01:02:42.639 --> 01:02:45.639 the asylum, and I've been doing it all day here. 1015 01:02:45.840 --> 01:02:51.239 I have, honestly, and a man too. That's a great experience. 1016 01:02:51.599 --> 01:02:55.599 I never talked to a man before, except occasional trustees, 1017 01:02:56.000 --> 01:02:59.320 and they don't count. Pardon, Daddy, I don't mean to 1018 01:02:59.400 --> 01:03:02.880 hurt your feeling. When I abuse trustees, I don't consider 1019 01:03:02.960 --> 01:03:06.039 that you really belong among them. You just tumbled onto 1020 01:03:06.039 --> 01:03:09.719 the board by chance. The trustee as such is fat 1021 01:03:09.760 --> 01:03:12.320 and pompous and benevolent. He pats me on the head 1022 01:03:12.360 --> 01:03:15.239 and wears a gold watch chain that looks like a 1023 01:03:15.320 --> 01:03:17.400 june bug, but is meant to be a portrait of 1024 01:03:17.519 --> 01:03:22.159 any trustee except you. However, to resume, I have been 1025 01:03:22.199 --> 01:03:25.239 walking and talking and having tea with a man, and 1026 01:03:25.320 --> 01:03:29.000 with a very superior man, with mister Jervis Pendleton, of 1027 01:03:29.039 --> 01:03:32.320 the House of Julia, her uncle. In short in long 1028 01:03:32.559 --> 01:03:34.800 perhaps I ought to say, he's as tall as you. 1029 01:03:35.719 --> 01:03:38.239 Being in town on business, he decided to run out 1030 01:03:38.239 --> 01:03:40.519 to the college and call on his niece. He's her 1031 01:03:40.559 --> 01:03:44.199 father's youngest brother, but she doesn't know him very intimately. 1032 01:03:44.599 --> 01:03:46.760 It seems he glanced at her when she was a baby, 1033 01:03:46.880 --> 01:03:50.920 decided he didn't like her, and has never noticed her since. Anyway, 1034 01:03:51.079 --> 01:03:54.360 there he was sitting in the reception room, very proper 1035 01:03:54.400 --> 01:03:56.840 with his hat and stick and gloves beside him, and 1036 01:03:57.000 --> 01:04:00.760 Julia and Sally with the seventh hour recitations. They couldn't cut, 1037 01:04:01.400 --> 01:04:03.760 so Julia dashed into my room and begged me to 1038 01:04:03.800 --> 01:04:06.880 walk him about the campus and then deliver him to 1039 01:04:06.920 --> 01:04:09.599 her when the seventh hour was over. I said I 1040 01:04:09.639 --> 01:04:14.360 would obligingly, but unenthusiastically, because I don't care much for Pendleton's. 1041 01:04:14.519 --> 01:04:17.239 But he turned out to be a sweet lamb. He's 1042 01:04:17.280 --> 01:04:20.760 a real human being, not a Pendleton at all. We 1043 01:04:20.840 --> 01:04:24.599 had a beautiful time. I've longed for an uncle ever since. 1044 01:04:25.199 --> 01:04:28.079 Do you mind pretending you're my uncle? I believe they're 1045 01:04:28.119 --> 01:04:32.880 superior to grandmother's. Mister Pendleton remind me a little of you, Daddy, 1046 01:04:32.960 --> 01:04:35.639 as you were twenty years ago. You see, I know 1047 01:04:35.760 --> 01:04:39.199 you intimately, even if we haven't ever met. He's tall 1048 01:04:39.280 --> 01:04:42.400 and thinnish, the dark face all over lines and the 1049 01:04:42.440 --> 01:04:45.920 funniest underneath, a smile that never quite comes through but 1050 01:04:46.079 --> 01:04:48.480 just wrinkles up at the corners of his mouth. And 1051 01:04:48.559 --> 01:04:50.519 he has a way of making you feel right off, 1052 01:04:50.559 --> 01:04:54.360 as though you've known him a long time. He's very companionable. 1053 01:04:55.119 --> 01:04:57.639 We walked all over the campus, from the quadrangle to 1054 01:04:57.679 --> 01:05:00.719 the athletic grounds. Then he said he felt weak and 1055 01:05:00.840 --> 01:05:03.440 must have some tea. He proposed that we go to 1056 01:05:03.519 --> 01:05:06.400 College Inn. It's just off the campus by the pine Walk. 1057 01:05:06.719 --> 01:05:09.119 I said we ought to go back for Julia and Sally, 1058 01:05:09.519 --> 01:05:11.880 but he said he didn't like to have his nieces 1059 01:05:11.960 --> 01:05:15.360 drink too much tea. It made him nervous. So we 1060 01:05:15.559 --> 01:05:18.320 just ran away and had tea in muffins and marmalade 1061 01:05:18.400 --> 01:05:20.679 and ice cream and cake at a nice little table 1062 01:05:20.679 --> 01:05:23.800 out in the balcony. The inn was quite conveniently empty, 1063 01:05:24.079 --> 01:05:26.760 this being the end of the month and allowance is low. 1064 01:05:27.440 --> 01:05:30.119 We had the jolliest time. But he had to run 1065 01:05:30.159 --> 01:05:32.039 for his train the minute he got back, and he 1066 01:05:32.079 --> 01:05:35.519 barely saw Julia at all. She was furious with me 1067 01:05:35.639 --> 01:05:38.840 for taking him off. It seems he's an unusually rich 1068 01:05:38.840 --> 01:05:42.760 and desirable uncle. It relieved my mind to find he 1069 01:05:42.880 --> 01:05:45.960 was rich. For the tea in things cost sixty cents apiece. 1070 01:05:46.800 --> 01:05:50.559 This morning it's Monday now. Three boxes of chocolates came 1071 01:05:50.679 --> 01:05:54.000 by express for Julia and SALLYE and me. What do 1072 01:05:54.039 --> 01:05:56.840 you think of that? To be getting candy from a man. 1073 01:05:57.519 --> 01:06:00.000 I began to feel like a girl instead of a fire. 1074 01:06:01.320 --> 01:06:03.800 I wish you'd come and have tea some day and 1075 01:06:03.880 --> 01:06:06.440 let me see if I like you. But wouldn't it 1076 01:06:06.480 --> 01:06:10.960 be dreadful if I didn't? However, I know I should bien. 1077 01:06:11.440 --> 01:06:17.800 I make hew my compliments. Jamai June, tout oublier, Judy ps. 1078 01:06:18.119 --> 01:06:20.320 I looked in the glass this morning and found a 1079 01:06:20.320 --> 01:06:24.519 perfectly new dimple that I'd never seen before. It's very curious. 1080 01:06:24.840 --> 01:06:30.239 Where do you suppose it came from? Ninth June. Dear Daddy, 1081 01:06:30.280 --> 01:06:35.039 long legs, Happy day. I've just finished my last examination 1082 01:06:35.159 --> 01:06:39.960 of physiology and now three months on a farm. I 1083 01:06:40.000 --> 01:06:42.159 don't know what kind of a thing a farm is. 1084 01:06:42.519 --> 01:06:45.079 I've never been on one in my life. I've never 1085 01:06:45.119 --> 01:06:48.280 even looked at one except from the car window. But 1086 01:06:48.360 --> 01:06:50.519 I know I'm going to love it, and I'm going 1087 01:06:50.599 --> 01:06:54.000 to love being free. I am not used even yet 1088 01:06:54.119 --> 01:06:57.760 to being outside the John Greerholme. Whenever I think of it, 1089 01:06:57.800 --> 01:07:00.679 excited little thrills chase up and die on my back. 1090 01:07:01.159 --> 01:07:03.639 I feel as though I must run faster and faster, 1091 01:07:03.920 --> 01:07:06.159 and keep looking over my shoulder to make sure that 1092 01:07:06.199 --> 01:07:09.039 missus Lippid isn't after me with her arms stretched out 1093 01:07:09.039 --> 01:07:11.920 to grab me back. I don't have to mind anyone 1094 01:07:11.960 --> 01:07:15.360 this summer, do I. Your nominal authority doesn't annoy me 1095 01:07:15.400 --> 01:07:17.760 in the least. You are too far away to do 1096 01:07:17.840 --> 01:07:21.440 any harm. Missus Lippett is dead forever so far as 1097 01:07:21.440 --> 01:07:24.920 I am concerned. And the Semples aren't expected to overlook 1098 01:07:24.960 --> 01:07:28.840 my moral welfare, are they? No, I'm sure not. I 1099 01:07:28.880 --> 01:07:32.960 am entirely grown up. Hooray. I leave you now to 1100 01:07:32.960 --> 01:07:35.559 pack a trunk and three boxes of tea kettles and 1101 01:07:35.599 --> 01:07:39.920 dishes and sofa cushions and books. Yours ever, Judy, Yes, 1102 01:07:40.400 --> 01:07:44.039 here's my physiology exam. Do you think you could have passed? 1103 01:07:45.880 --> 01:07:54.559 End of Part three, Part four, Lock Willow Farm, Saturday night, 1104 01:07:55.760 --> 01:08:00.119 Dearest Daddy long Legs. I've only just come and I'm 1105 01:08:00.159 --> 01:08:03.559 not unpacked, but I can't wait to tell you how 1106 01:08:03.639 --> 01:08:09.639 much I like farms. This is a heavenly, heavenly, heavenly spot. 1107 01:08:10.519 --> 01:08:14.800 The house is square like this and old a hundred 1108 01:08:14.840 --> 01:08:18.399 years or so. It has a veranda on the side 1109 01:08:18.479 --> 01:08:21.800 which I can't draw, and a sweet porch in front. 1110 01:08:22.800 --> 01:08:26.640 The picture really doesn't do it justice. Those things that 1111 01:08:26.720 --> 01:08:29.880 look like feather dusters are maple trees, and the prickly 1112 01:08:29.920 --> 01:08:33.399 ones that border the drive are murmuring pines and hemlocks. 1113 01:08:34.239 --> 01:08:36.600 It stands on the top of a hill and looks 1114 01:08:36.720 --> 01:08:40.159 way off over miles of green meadows to another line 1115 01:08:40.199 --> 01:08:43.920 of hills. That is the way Connecticut goes in a 1116 01:08:43.960 --> 01:08:47.960 series of Marcel waves, and lock Willow Farm is just 1117 01:08:48.079 --> 01:08:51.319 on the crest of one wave. The barns used to 1118 01:08:51.399 --> 01:08:54.479 be across the road where they obstructed the view, but 1119 01:08:54.560 --> 01:08:57.720 a kind flash of lightning came from heaven and burnt 1120 01:08:57.800 --> 01:09:02.760 them down. The people are mister and Missus Semple, and 1121 01:09:02.800 --> 01:09:06.720 a hired girl and two hired men. The hired people 1122 01:09:06.760 --> 01:09:09.960 eat in the kitchen, and the Semples and Judy in 1123 01:09:10.039 --> 01:09:13.560 the dining room. We had ham and eggs and biscuits 1124 01:09:13.560 --> 01:09:16.880 and honey and jelly cake and pie and pickles and 1125 01:09:17.039 --> 01:09:20.800 cheese and tea for supper, and a great deal of conversation. 1126 01:09:21.800 --> 01:09:25.720 I have never been so entertaining in my life. Everything 1127 01:09:25.760 --> 01:09:29.079 I say appears to be funny. I suppose it is 1128 01:09:29.399 --> 01:09:32.000 because I've never been in the country before, and my 1129 01:09:32.119 --> 01:09:36.840 questions are backed by an all inclusive ignorance. The room 1130 01:09:36.880 --> 01:09:39.680 marked with a cross is not where the murder was committed, 1131 01:09:40.000 --> 01:09:43.199 but the one that I occupy. It's big and square 1132 01:09:43.199 --> 01:09:46.920 and empty, with adorable old fashioned furniture and windows that 1133 01:09:47.000 --> 01:09:50.039 have to be propped up on sticks, and green shades 1134 01:09:50.279 --> 01:09:53.159 trimmed with gold that fall down if you touch them. 1135 01:09:53.720 --> 01:09:56.840 And a big square mahogany table. I'm going to spend 1136 01:09:56.960 --> 01:09:59.399 the summer with my elbows spread out on it writing 1137 01:09:59.399 --> 01:10:03.760 a novel. Oh Daddy, I'm so excited. I can't wait 1138 01:10:03.880 --> 01:10:07.720 till daylight to explore. It's eight thirty now and I 1139 01:10:07.720 --> 01:10:10.239 am about to blow out my candle and try. 1140 01:10:10.039 --> 01:10:10.800 To go to sleep. 1141 01:10:11.560 --> 01:10:14.640 We rise at five. Did you ever know such fun 1142 01:10:15.319 --> 01:10:18.520 I can't believe this is really Judy. You and the 1143 01:10:18.560 --> 01:10:21.640 Good Lord give me more than I deserve. I must 1144 01:10:21.680 --> 01:10:24.760 be a very very very good person to pay. I 1145 01:10:24.800 --> 01:10:29.119 am going to be. You will see good night, Judy 1146 01:10:30.399 --> 01:10:33.399 p s. You should hear the frogs sing and the 1147 01:10:33.439 --> 01:10:36.840 little pig's squeal, and you should see the new moon. 1148 01:10:37.520 --> 01:10:45.039 I saw it over my right shoulder. Lock Willow, twelfth July. 1149 01:10:46.239 --> 01:10:50.199 Dear Daddy, long Legs, How did your secretary come to 1150 01:10:50.239 --> 01:10:54.600 know about lock Willow? That isn't a rhetorical question. I 1151 01:10:54.640 --> 01:10:59.000 am awfully curious to know. For listen to this. Mister 1152 01:10:59.119 --> 01:11:02.399 Jervis Pendleton used to own this farm, but now he 1153 01:11:02.439 --> 01:11:05.680 has given it to missus Semple, who was his old nurse. 1154 01:11:06.399 --> 01:11:09.640 Did you ever hear of such a funny coincidence? She 1155 01:11:09.760 --> 01:11:13.319 still calls him Master Jerviy and talks about what a 1156 01:11:13.359 --> 01:11:16.720 sweet little boy he used to be. She has one 1157 01:11:16.720 --> 01:11:19.279 of his baby curls put away in a box and 1158 01:11:19.359 --> 01:11:23.720 it is red, or at least reddish. Since she discovered 1159 01:11:23.760 --> 01:11:26.000 that I know him, I have risen very much. In 1160 01:11:26.079 --> 01:11:29.680 her opinion, Knowing a member of the Pendleton family is 1161 01:11:29.720 --> 01:11:32.880 the best introduction one can have at luck Willow, and 1162 01:11:33.000 --> 01:11:36.520 the cream of the whole family is Master Jervis. I 1163 01:11:36.560 --> 01:11:40.039 am pleased to say that Julia belongs to an inferior branch. 1164 01:11:42.439 --> 01:11:45.600 The farm gets more and more entertaining. I rode on 1165 01:11:45.640 --> 01:11:49.119 a hay wagon yesterday. We have three big pigs and 1166 01:11:49.239 --> 01:11:52.680 nine little piglets, and you should see them eat. They 1167 01:11:52.760 --> 01:11:57.039 are pigs. We've oceans of little baby chickens and ducks 1168 01:11:57.399 --> 01:12:00.880 and turkeys and guinea fowls. You must be mad to 1169 01:12:00.920 --> 01:12:03.039 live in a city when you might live on a farm. 1170 01:12:03.920 --> 01:12:06.840 It is my daily business to hunt the eggs. I 1171 01:12:06.920 --> 01:12:09.640 fell off a beam in the barn loth yesterday while 1172 01:12:09.640 --> 01:12:11.760 I was trying to crawl over to a nest that 1173 01:12:11.880 --> 01:12:14.720 the black hen had stolen. And when I came in 1174 01:12:14.760 --> 01:12:17.960 with a scratched knee, missus semple bounded up with witch 1175 01:12:18.000 --> 01:12:22.159 Hazel murmuring all the time. Dear, dear, it seems only 1176 01:12:22.279 --> 01:12:25.439 yesterday that Master Jervy fell off that very same beam 1177 01:12:25.800 --> 01:12:29.920 and scratched his very same knee. The scenery around here 1178 01:12:30.000 --> 01:12:33.640 is perfectly beautiful. There's a valley and a river, and 1179 01:12:33.720 --> 01:12:36.680 a lot of wooded hills, and way in the distance, 1180 01:12:37.039 --> 01:12:40.199 a tall blue mountain that simply melts in your mouth. 1181 01:12:41.239 --> 01:12:44.239 We churn twice a week, and we keep the cream 1182 01:12:44.279 --> 01:12:46.760 in the spring house, which is made of stone with 1183 01:12:46.840 --> 01:12:50.600 a brook running underneath. Some of the farmers around here 1184 01:12:50.680 --> 01:12:53.079 have a separator, but we don't care for these new 1185 01:12:53.119 --> 01:12:56.399 fashioned ideas. It may be a little harder to separate 1186 01:12:56.439 --> 01:12:59.680 the cream in pans, but it's sufficiently better to pay. 1187 01:13:00.800 --> 01:13:03.920 We have six calves, and I've chosen the names for 1188 01:13:04.000 --> 01:13:07.720 all of them. Sylvia because she was born in the woods. 1189 01:13:08.439 --> 01:13:14.279 Lesbia after the Lesbia in Kettalusts, Sally Julia, a spotted 1190 01:13:14.439 --> 01:13:20.800 nondescript animal. Judy after me Daddy long legs. You don't mind, 1191 01:13:20.880 --> 01:13:24.840 do you, Daddy? He's pure Jersey and has a sweet disposition. 1192 01:13:25.640 --> 01:13:28.760 He looks like this. You can see how appropriate the 1193 01:13:28.840 --> 01:13:33.520 name is. I haven't had time yet to begin my 1194 01:13:33.640 --> 01:13:40.560 immortal novel. The farm keeps me too busy. Yours always, Judy. Ps. 1195 01:13:40.800 --> 01:13:46.119 I've learned to make doughnuts. Ps. Two. If you are 1196 01:13:46.159 --> 01:13:50.960 thinking of raising chickens, let me recommend buff Orpington's. They 1197 01:13:51.000 --> 01:13:55.800 haven't any pin feathers. P. S. Three. I wish I 1198 01:13:55.800 --> 01:13:57.920 could send you a pat of the nice fresh butter 1199 01:13:57.960 --> 01:14:03.199 I churned yesterday. I am a dairy maid. Ps. Four. 1200 01:14:04.359 --> 01:14:07.199 This is a picture of Miss Jerusha Abbot, the future 1201 01:14:07.279 --> 01:14:14.359 great author, driving home the cows Sunday. Dear Daddy long Legs, 1202 01:14:15.199 --> 01:14:18.920 isn't it funny? I started to write to you yesterday afternoon, 1203 01:14:19.039 --> 01:14:21.039 but as far as I got was the heading Dear 1204 01:14:21.119 --> 01:14:24.439 Daddy long Legs. And then I remembered I'd promised to 1205 01:14:24.520 --> 01:14:27.399 pick some blackberries for supper. So I went off and 1206 01:14:27.479 --> 01:14:30.039 left the sheet lying on the table. And when I 1207 01:14:30.079 --> 01:14:32.680 came back today, what do you think I found sitting 1208 01:14:32.720 --> 01:14:35.840 in the middle of the page, A real true Daddy 1209 01:14:35.880 --> 01:14:39.279 long Legs. I picked him up very gently by one 1210 01:14:39.359 --> 01:14:42.600 leg and dropped him out of the window. I wouldn't 1211 01:14:42.680 --> 01:14:45.439 hurt one of them for the world. They always remind 1212 01:14:45.520 --> 01:14:48.920 me of you. We hitched up the spring wagon this 1213 01:14:49.000 --> 01:14:52.119 morning and drove to the center to church. It's a 1214 01:14:52.159 --> 01:14:55.079 sweet little white framed church with a spire and three 1215 01:14:55.159 --> 01:14:59.399 doric columns in front, or maybe ionic. I always get 1216 01:14:59.399 --> 01:15:04.520 them mixed. A nice sleepy sermon, with everybody drowsily waving 1217 01:15:04.680 --> 01:15:09.039 palm leaf fans, and the only sound aside from the minister, 1218 01:15:09.640 --> 01:15:13.920 the buzzing of locusts in the trees outside. I didn't 1219 01:15:13.960 --> 01:15:16.439 wake up till I found myself on my feet singing 1220 01:15:16.479 --> 01:15:19.199 the hymn, and then I was awfully sorry I hadn't 1221 01:15:19.319 --> 01:15:21.920 listened to the sermon. I should like to know more 1222 01:15:21.920 --> 01:15:24.039 of the psychology of a man who could pick out 1223 01:15:24.039 --> 01:15:24.640 such a hymn. 1224 01:15:25.199 --> 01:15:25.800 This was it. 1225 01:15:27.079 --> 01:15:30.199 Come leave your sports and earthly toys and join me 1226 01:15:30.279 --> 01:15:34.560 in celestial joys or else. Dear friend, a long farewell. 1227 01:15:35.000 --> 01:15:38.760 I leave you now to sink to Hell. I find 1228 01:15:38.880 --> 01:15:42.920 that it isn't safe to discuss religion with Semples. Their God, 1229 01:15:43.119 --> 01:15:46.840 whom they have inherited intact from their remote Puritan ancestors, 1230 01:15:47.279 --> 01:15:53.640 is a narrow, irrational, unjust, mean, revengeful, bigoted person. Thank Heaven, 1231 01:15:53.720 --> 01:15:57.399 I don't inherit God from anybody. I am free to 1232 01:15:57.439 --> 01:16:01.119 make mine up as I wish him. He's and sympathetic 1233 01:16:01.479 --> 01:16:05.520 and imaginative and forgiving and understanding, and he has a 1234 01:16:05.560 --> 01:16:10.359 sense of humor. I like the Semples immensely. Their practice 1235 01:16:10.399 --> 01:16:13.560 is so superior to their theory. They are better than 1236 01:16:13.600 --> 01:16:17.000 their own. God I told them so, and they are 1237 01:16:17.079 --> 01:16:21.079 horribly troubled. They think I am blasphemous, and I think 1238 01:16:21.159 --> 01:16:27.319 they are. We've dropped theology from our conversation. This is 1239 01:16:27.359 --> 01:16:32.159 Sunday afternoon. A MASSI hired man in a purple tie 1240 01:16:32.199 --> 01:16:36.000 and some bright yellow buckskin gloves, very red and shaved, 1241 01:16:36.359 --> 01:16:39.840 has just driven off with Carrie, hired girl in a 1242 01:16:39.880 --> 01:16:43.479 big hat trimmed with red roses and a blue muslin dress, 1243 01:16:43.800 --> 01:16:46.159 and her hair curled as tight as it will curl. 1244 01:16:47.399 --> 01:16:50.279 A Maassi spent all the morning washing the buggy, and 1245 01:16:50.439 --> 01:16:53.279 Carrie stayed home from church, ostensibly to cook the dinner, 1246 01:16:53.720 --> 01:16:58.279 but really to iron the muslin dress. In two minutes more, 1247 01:16:58.600 --> 01:17:00.800 when this letter is finished, I am going to settle 1248 01:17:00.840 --> 01:17:02.720 down to a book which I found in the attic. 1249 01:17:03.239 --> 01:17:06.840 It's entitled on the Trail, and sprawled across the front 1250 01:17:06.880 --> 01:17:10.680 page in a funny little boy hand Jervis Pendleton. If 1251 01:17:10.680 --> 01:17:14.079 this book should ever roam box, its ears and send 1252 01:17:14.119 --> 01:17:17.079 it home. He's spent the summer here once after he 1253 01:17:17.119 --> 01:17:19.720 had been ill when he was about eleven years old, 1254 01:17:20.000 --> 01:17:23.920 and he left on the trail behind it looks well read. 1255 01:17:24.079 --> 01:17:27.560 The marks of his grimy little hands are frequent. Also, 1256 01:17:27.640 --> 01:17:29.560 in a corner of the attic there is a water 1257 01:17:29.600 --> 01:17:33.720 wheel and a windmill, and some bows and arrows. Missus 1258 01:17:33.720 --> 01:17:37.039 Semple talks so constantly about him that I begin to 1259 01:17:37.039 --> 01:17:39.880 believe he really lives. Not a grown man with a 1260 01:17:39.920 --> 01:17:43.359 silk hat and walking stick, but a nice, dirty tussel 1261 01:17:43.359 --> 01:17:46.880 headed boy who clatters up the stairs with an awful 1262 01:17:46.960 --> 01:17:50.520 racket and leaves the screen doors open, and is always 1263 01:17:50.560 --> 01:17:53.840 asking for cookies and getting them too. If I know 1264 01:17:53.920 --> 01:17:58.119 Missus Semple, he seems to have been an adventurous little soul, 1265 01:17:58.520 --> 01:18:02.159 and brave and truthful. I'm sorry to think he is 1266 01:18:02.199 --> 01:18:07.119 a Pendleton. He was meant for something better. We're going 1267 01:18:07.159 --> 01:18:10.800 to begin threshing oats tomorrow. A steam engine is coming, 1268 01:18:10.880 --> 01:18:14.560 and three extra men. It grieves me to tell you 1269 01:18:14.600 --> 01:18:18.560 that Buttercup, the spotted cow with one horn, mother of Lesbia, 1270 01:18:19.359 --> 01:18:22.960 has done a disgraceful thing. She got into the orchard 1271 01:18:23.000 --> 01:18:26.399 Friday evening in eight apples under the trees and eight 1272 01:18:26.479 --> 01:18:29.960 and eight until they went to her head. For two 1273 01:18:30.079 --> 01:18:33.680 days she has been perfectly dead drunk. That is the 1274 01:18:33.760 --> 01:18:38.600 truth I am telling. Did you ever hear anything so scandalous? Sir? 1275 01:18:39.119 --> 01:18:45.039 I remain your affectionate orphan Judy abbot ps Indians in 1276 01:18:45.079 --> 01:18:48.920 the first chapter and highwaymen in the second. I hold 1277 01:18:48.960 --> 01:18:53.439 my breath. What can the third contain? Red hawk leapt 1278 01:18:53.520 --> 01:18:56.680 twenty feet in the air and bit the dust. That 1279 01:18:56.880 --> 01:19:00.600 is the subject of the frontispiece. Aren't Judy and Jervy 1280 01:19:00.640 --> 01:19:08.800 having fun? Fifteenth September. Dear Daddy, I was weighed yesterday 1281 01:19:08.800 --> 01:19:11.560 on the flower scales in the general store at the Coomers. 1282 01:19:12.159 --> 01:19:16.720 I've gained nine pounds. Let me recommend Lock Willow as 1283 01:19:16.720 --> 01:19:25.359 a health resort. Yours ever, Judy. End of Part four, Part. 1284 01:19:25.159 --> 01:19:31.439 Five, Dear Daddy, long legs behold me a sophomore. I 1285 01:19:31.479 --> 01:19:34.000 came up last Friday, sorry to leave lock Willow, but 1286 01:19:34.039 --> 01:19:36.960 glad to see the campus again. It is a pleasant 1287 01:19:36.960 --> 01:19:40.039 sensation to come back to something familiar. I'm beginning to 1288 01:19:40.039 --> 01:19:43.039 feel at home in college and in command of the situation. 1289 01:19:43.800 --> 01:19:46.359 I am beginning, in fact, to feel at home in 1290 01:19:46.399 --> 01:19:49.000 the world. As though I really belonged to it and 1291 01:19:49.359 --> 01:19:52.600 had not just crept in on sufferance. I don't suppose 1292 01:19:52.640 --> 01:19:54.560 you understand. And the least what I'm trying to say, 1293 01:19:54.920 --> 01:19:57.439 a person important enough to be a trustee can't appreciate 1294 01:19:57.439 --> 01:19:59.960 the feelings of a person unimportant enough to be a founder. 1295 01:20:01.239 --> 01:20:05.479 And now, Daddy, listen to this. Whom do you think? 1296 01:20:05.520 --> 01:20:09.840 I am rooming with Sallly McBride and Julia Rutlich Pendleton. 1297 01:20:10.319 --> 01:20:14.199 It's the truth. We have a study in three little bedrooms. Voilla, 1298 01:20:15.479 --> 01:20:17.399 Sally and I decided last spring that we should like 1299 01:20:17.399 --> 01:20:19.359 to room together, and Julia made up her mind to 1300 01:20:19.359 --> 01:20:22.199 stay with Sally. Why I can't imagine, for they are 1301 01:20:22.199 --> 01:20:25.319 not a bit alike. But the Pendletons are naturally conservative 1302 01:20:25.760 --> 01:20:30.680 and inimical. Fine word to change anyway. Here we are. 1303 01:20:31.239 --> 01:20:34.279 Think of Jerusha Abbott, late of the John Greer Home 1304 01:20:34.319 --> 01:20:38.840 for Orphans rooming with a Pendleton. This is a democratic country. 1305 01:20:39.880 --> 01:20:42.960 Sally is running for class president, and unless all science fail, 1306 01:20:43.000 --> 01:20:46.239 she is going to be elected. Such an atmosphere of intrigue, 1307 01:20:46.279 --> 01:20:49.399 you should see what politicians we are. Oh, I tell you, daddy, 1308 01:20:49.399 --> 01:20:51.479 When we women get our rights, you men will have 1309 01:20:51.520 --> 01:20:54.800 to look alive in order to keep yours. Election comes 1310 01:20:54.800 --> 01:20:57.239 next Saturday, and we're going to have a torchlight procession 1311 01:20:57.279 --> 01:21:00.960 in the evening, no matter who wins. In chemistry a 1312 01:21:01.000 --> 01:21:04.159 most unusual study. I've never seen anything like it before. 1313 01:21:04.640 --> 01:21:07.960 Molecules and atoms are the material employed. But I'll be 1314 01:21:07.960 --> 01:21:10.600 in a position to discuss them more definitely next month. 1315 01:21:11.800 --> 01:21:15.359 I am also taking argumentation and logic. Also History of 1316 01:21:15.399 --> 01:21:19.319 the Whole World also plays with William Shakespeare, also French. 1317 01:21:19.920 --> 01:21:22.279 If this keeps up many years longer, I shall become 1318 01:21:22.359 --> 01:21:27.079 quite intelligent. I should rather have elected Economics than French, 1319 01:21:27.119 --> 01:21:29.239 but I didn't dare because I was afraid that unless 1320 01:21:29.239 --> 01:21:31.920 I re elected French, the professor would not let me pass. 1321 01:21:32.399 --> 01:21:34.720 As it was, I just managed to squeeze through the 1322 01:21:34.800 --> 01:21:37.640 June examination. But I will say that my high school 1323 01:21:37.680 --> 01:21:41.079 preparation was not very adequate. There's one girl in the 1324 01:21:41.079 --> 01:21:43.279 class who chatters away in French as fast as she 1325 01:21:43.319 --> 01:21:45.880 does in English. She went abroad with her parents when 1326 01:21:45.880 --> 01:21:47.560 she was a child and spent three years in a 1327 01:21:47.600 --> 01:21:50.720 convent school. You can imagine how bright she is compared 1328 01:21:50.720 --> 01:21:53.920 with the rest of us. Irregular verbs are mere playthings. 1329 01:21:54.680 --> 01:21:56.640 I wish my parents had chucked me into a French 1330 01:21:56.680 --> 01:21:59.079 convent when I was little instead of a found the asylum. 1331 01:21:59.560 --> 01:22:02.279 Oh no, I don't either, because then maybe I should 1332 01:22:02.319 --> 01:22:05.119 never have known you, and I'd rather know you than French. 1333 01:22:06.279 --> 01:22:09.159 Good Bye, Daddy, I must call on Harriet Martin now, and, 1334 01:22:09.359 --> 01:22:13.640 having discussed the chemical situation, casually drop a few thoughts 1335 01:22:13.640 --> 01:22:16.640 on the subject of our next president. Yours in politics, 1336 01:22:16.960 --> 01:22:23.359 Jay Abbott, seventeenth October. Dear Daddy, long legs. Supposing the 1337 01:22:23.399 --> 01:22:26.600 swimming tank in the gymnasium were filled full of lemon jelly? 1338 01:22:27.119 --> 01:22:29.520 Could a person trying to swim manage to keep on 1339 01:22:29.560 --> 01:22:32.399 top of wood? He sink? We were having lemon jelly 1340 01:22:32.399 --> 01:22:34.880 for dessert when the question came up. We discussed it 1341 01:22:34.960 --> 01:22:38.279 heatedly for half an hour, and it's still unsettled. Sally 1342 01:22:38.319 --> 01:22:40.359 thinks that she could swim in it, but I'm perfectly 1343 01:22:40.399 --> 01:22:42.399 sure that the best swimmer in the world would sink. 1344 01:22:43.039 --> 01:22:45.159 Wouldn't it be funny to be drowned in lemon jelly? 1345 01:22:46.399 --> 01:22:49.960 Two other problems are engaging the attention of our table. First, 1346 01:22:50.479 --> 01:22:53.600 what shape are the rooms in an octagon house? Some 1347 01:22:53.680 --> 01:22:55.640 of the girls insist that they're square, but I think 1348 01:22:55.680 --> 01:22:57.439 they'd have to be shaped like a piece of pie. 1349 01:22:57.520 --> 01:23:02.600 Don't you second, suppose there were a great, big hollow 1350 01:23:02.640 --> 01:23:05.600 sphere made of looking glass and you were sitting inside. 1351 01:23:06.199 --> 01:23:09.600 Where would it stop reflecting your face and begin reflecting 1352 01:23:09.600 --> 01:23:12.479 your back. The more one thinks about this problem, the 1353 01:23:12.479 --> 01:23:15.600 more puzzling it becomes. You can see with what deep 1354 01:23:15.680 --> 01:23:20.000 philosophical reflection we engage our leisure. Did I ever tell 1355 01:23:20.000 --> 01:23:22.439 you about the election? It happened three weeks ago, But 1356 01:23:22.520 --> 01:23:25.520 so fast do we live that three weeks is ancient history. 1357 01:23:26.159 --> 01:23:29.039 Sally was elected, and we had a torchlight parade with 1358 01:23:29.119 --> 01:23:33.880 transparencies saying McBride forever, and a band consisting of fourteen pieces, 1359 01:23:34.399 --> 01:23:38.880 three mouth organs and eleven combs. We are very important persons. 1360 01:23:38.920 --> 01:23:41.279 Now in two fifty eight, Julia and I come in 1361 01:23:41.319 --> 01:23:44.520 for a great deal of reflected glory. It's quite a 1362 01:23:44.560 --> 01:23:46.520 social strain to be living in the same house with 1363 01:23:46.560 --> 01:23:52.600 the president when we share Daddy, except de mes compliment, respectors, 1364 01:23:53.039 --> 01:23:59.600 Just ri vautrue Judy, twelfth November, Dear Daddy, long legs, 1365 01:23:59.760 --> 01:24:03.399 we beat the freshman at basketball yesterday. Of course we're pleased, 1366 01:24:03.399 --> 01:24:06.279 But oh, if we could only beat the juniors. I'd 1367 01:24:06.319 --> 01:24:07.920 be willing to be black and blue all over and 1368 01:24:07.960 --> 01:24:10.479 stay in bed a week in a witch hazel compress. 1369 01:24:11.239 --> 01:24:13.880 Sally has invited me to spend the Christmas vacation with her. 1370 01:24:14.119 --> 01:24:17.000 She lives in Worcester, Massachusetts. Wasn't it nice of her? 1371 01:24:17.319 --> 01:24:19.760 I shall love to go. I've never been in a 1372 01:24:19.760 --> 01:24:22.239 private family in my life except at lock Willow, and 1373 01:24:22.279 --> 01:24:24.279 the Semples were grown up and old and don't count. 1374 01:24:24.800 --> 01:24:27.880 But the mcbrides have a house full of children anyway 1375 01:24:27.880 --> 01:24:30.920 two or three, and a mother and father and grandmother 1376 01:24:31.079 --> 01:24:35.720 and an angora cat. It's a perfectly complete family. Packing 1377 01:24:35.720 --> 01:24:38.039 your trunk and going away is more fun than staying behind. 1378 01:24:38.239 --> 01:24:42.039 I'm terribly excited at the prospect seventh hour, I must 1379 01:24:42.079 --> 01:24:45.319 run to rehearsal. I'm to be in the Thanksgiving theatricals. 1380 01:24:45.479 --> 01:24:47.840 A prince in a tower with a velvet tunic and 1381 01:24:47.920 --> 01:24:53.199 yellow curls. Isn't that a lark yours? J a Saturday? 1382 01:24:53.800 --> 01:24:55.520 Do you want to know what I look like? Here's 1383 01:24:55.520 --> 01:24:58.600 a photograph of all three that Leonora Fenton took. The 1384 01:24:58.680 --> 01:25:01.439 light one who is laughing is and the tall one 1385 01:25:01.520 --> 01:25:03.520 with her nose in the air. As Julia and The 1386 01:25:03.520 --> 01:25:06.119 little one with the hair blowing across her face is Judy. 1387 01:25:06.520 --> 01:25:08.560 She is really more beautiful than that, but the sun 1388 01:25:08.680 --> 01:25:13.760 was in her eyes. Stone Gate, Worcester, Mass thirty one December. 1389 01:25:14.239 --> 01:25:16.720 Dear Daddy long Legs, I meant to write to you 1390 01:25:16.760 --> 01:25:19.199 before and thank you for your Christmas check. But life 1391 01:25:19.199 --> 01:25:22.119 in the mc bridehousehold is very absorbing and I don't 1392 01:25:22.119 --> 01:25:24.560 seem able to find two consecutive minutes to spend at 1393 01:25:24.560 --> 01:25:27.600 a desk. I bought a new gown, one that I 1394 01:25:27.600 --> 01:25:30.720 didn't need but just wanted. My Christmas present this year 1395 01:25:30.800 --> 01:25:33.239 is from Daddy long Legs. My family just sent love. 1396 01:25:34.319 --> 01:25:38.079 I've been having the most beautiful vacation visiting Sally. She 1397 01:25:38.159 --> 01:25:41.199 lives in a big, old fashioned brick house with white trimmings, 1398 01:25:41.199 --> 01:25:43.520 set back from the street, exactly the kind of house 1399 01:25:43.560 --> 01:25:45.640 that I used to look at so curiously when I 1400 01:25:45.720 --> 01:25:47.920 was in the John Grier Home and wonder what it 1401 01:25:47.960 --> 01:25:51.000 could be like inside. I never expected to see with 1402 01:25:51.000 --> 01:25:54.960 my own eyes, But here I am. Everything is so 1403 01:25:55.119 --> 01:25:58.960 comfortable and RESTful and homelike. I walk from room to 1404 01:25:59.039 --> 01:26:02.479 room and drink in the furnishings. It is the most 1405 01:26:02.600 --> 01:26:05.159 perfect house for children to be brought up in with 1406 01:26:05.319 --> 01:26:09.079 shadowy nooks for hide and seek, and open fireplaces for popcorn, 1407 01:26:09.159 --> 01:26:11.119 and an attic to romp in on rainy days, and 1408 01:26:11.159 --> 01:26:14.159 slippery banisters with a comfortable fat knob on the bottom, 1409 01:26:14.399 --> 01:26:17.239 and a great, big sunny kitchen and a nice, fat 1410 01:26:17.279 --> 01:26:19.720 sunny cook who has lived in the family thirteen years 1411 01:26:19.760 --> 01:26:21.640 and always saves out a piece of dough for the 1412 01:26:21.720 --> 01:26:24.560 children to bake. Just the sight of such a house 1413 01:26:24.600 --> 01:26:26.560 makes you want to be a child all over again. 1414 01:26:27.520 --> 01:26:30.199 And as for families, I never dreamed they could be 1415 01:26:30.279 --> 01:26:33.960 so nice. Sally has a father and mother and grandmother 1416 01:26:34.479 --> 01:26:37.640 and the sweetest three year old baby sister all over curls, 1417 01:26:37.920 --> 01:26:40.159 and a medium sized brother who always forgets to wipe 1418 01:26:40.199 --> 01:26:43.119 his feet, and a big, good looking brother named Jimmy, 1419 01:26:43.119 --> 01:26:46.359 who is a junior at Princeton. We have the jolliest 1420 01:26:46.359 --> 01:26:49.079 times at the table. Everybody laughs and jokes and talks 1421 01:26:49.119 --> 01:26:51.239 at once, and we don't have to say grace beforehand. 1422 01:26:51.560 --> 01:26:53.720 It's a relief not having to thank somebody for every 1423 01:26:53.800 --> 01:26:57.119 mouthful you eat. I dare sam blasphemous, but you'd be 1424 01:26:57.199 --> 01:27:00.159 too if you'd offered as much obligatory thanks as I have. 1425 01:27:01.359 --> 01:27:03.600 Such a lot of things we've done. I can't begin 1426 01:27:03.640 --> 01:27:06.520 to tell you about them. Mister McBride owns a factory, 1427 01:27:06.520 --> 01:27:09.199 and Christmas Eve he had a tree for the employee's children. 1428 01:27:09.800 --> 01:27:12.279 It was in the long packing room, which was decorated 1429 01:27:12.319 --> 01:27:16.279 with evergreens and holly. Jimmy McBride was dressed as Santa 1430 01:27:16.279 --> 01:27:18.640 Claus and Sally and I helped him distribute the presence. 1431 01:27:19.279 --> 01:27:22.319 Dear me, Daddy, but it was a funny sensation. I 1432 01:27:22.359 --> 01:27:25.199 felt as benevolent as a trustee of the John Greer Home. 1433 01:27:25.840 --> 01:27:28.399 I kissed one sweet, sticky little boy, but I don't 1434 01:27:28.439 --> 01:27:31.720 think I've patted any of them on the head. And 1435 01:27:31.960 --> 01:27:34.640 two days after Christmas they gave a dance at their 1436 01:27:34.720 --> 01:27:39.359 own house for me. It was the first really true 1437 01:27:39.399 --> 01:27:42.119 ball I ever attended. College doesn't count where we dance 1438 01:27:42.199 --> 01:27:45.560 with girls. I had a new white evening gown your 1439 01:27:45.640 --> 01:27:49.520 Christmas present, many thanks, and long white gloves and white 1440 01:27:49.560 --> 01:27:54.840 satin slippers. The only drawback to my perfect, utter, absolute 1441 01:27:54.920 --> 01:27:58.319 happiness was the fact that Missus Lippett couldn't see me 1442 01:27:58.640 --> 01:28:02.680 leading the cotillion with Jimmy McBride. Tell her about it, please, 1443 01:28:02.760 --> 01:28:05.760 the next time you visit the J G. H. Yours ever, 1444 01:28:06.000 --> 01:28:10.560 Judy Abbott ps. Would you be terribly displeased, Daddy, if 1445 01:28:10.560 --> 01:28:12.720 I didn't turn out to be a great author after all, 1446 01:28:13.039 --> 01:28:17.800 but just a plain girl? Six point thirty Saturday, Dear Daddy, 1447 01:28:18.239 --> 01:28:20.680 we started to walk to town today, but mercy how 1448 01:28:20.680 --> 01:28:23.159 it poured. I like winter to be winter with snow 1449 01:28:23.199 --> 01:28:27.479 instead of rain. Julia's desirable uncle called again this afternoon 1450 01:28:27.600 --> 01:28:31.439 and brought a five pound box of chocolates. There are advantages, 1451 01:28:31.479 --> 01:28:34.880 you see about rooming with Julia. Our innocent prattle appeared 1452 01:28:34.920 --> 01:28:36.840 to amuse him, and he waited for a later train 1453 01:28:36.880 --> 01:28:39.560 in order to take tea in the study. We had 1454 01:28:39.600 --> 01:28:42.680 an awful lot of trouble getting permission. It's hard enough 1455 01:28:42.800 --> 01:28:45.880 entertaining fathers and grandfathers, but uncles are a step worse, 1456 01:28:45.920 --> 01:28:48.560 and as for brothers and cousins, they are next to impossible. 1457 01:28:49.239 --> 01:28:51.720 Julia had to swear that he was her uncle before 1458 01:28:51.720 --> 01:28:55.560 a notary public and then have the county clerk's certificate attached. 1459 01:28:55.840 --> 01:28:58.359 Thon't I know a lot of law? And even then 1460 01:28:58.399 --> 01:28:59.960 I doubt if we could have had our tea if 1461 01:29:00.039 --> 01:29:02.000 the Dean had chanced to see how youngish and good 1462 01:29:02.000 --> 01:29:05.880 looking uncle jervis is anyway. We had it with brown 1463 01:29:05.920 --> 01:29:08.960 bread Swiss cheese sandwiches. He helped make them, and then 1464 01:29:09.119 --> 01:29:11.560 ate four. I told him that I had spent last 1465 01:29:11.600 --> 01:29:14.800 summer at Lock Willow and we had a beautiful gossipy 1466 01:29:14.840 --> 01:29:17.520 time about the semples and the horses and cows and chickens. 1467 01:29:17.800 --> 01:29:19.560 All the horses that he used to know are dead, 1468 01:29:19.600 --> 01:29:21.960 except Grover, who was a baby colt at the time 1469 01:29:21.960 --> 01:29:24.520 of his last visit. And poor Grove now is so 1470 01:29:24.640 --> 01:29:28.079 old he can just limp about the pasture. He asked 1471 01:29:28.119 --> 01:29:30.199 if they still kept doughnuts in a yellow crock with 1472 01:29:30.239 --> 01:29:32.119 a blue plate over it on the bottom shelf of 1473 01:29:32.159 --> 01:29:35.199 the pantry, and they do. He wanted to know if 1474 01:29:35.199 --> 01:29:37.079 there was still a woodchuck's hole under the pile of 1475 01:29:37.159 --> 01:29:40.600 rocks in the night pasture, and there is. Amasi caught 1476 01:29:40.600 --> 01:29:43.520 a big, fat gray one there this summer, the twenty 1477 01:29:43.600 --> 01:29:46.439 fifth great grandson of the one Master Jervis caught when 1478 01:29:46.439 --> 01:29:49.439 he was a little boy. I called him Master Jervy 1479 01:29:49.479 --> 01:29:51.800 to his face, but he didn't appear to be insulted. 1480 01:29:52.319 --> 01:29:54.960 Julia says she has never seen him so amiable. He's 1481 01:29:55.039 --> 01:29:58.239 usually pretty unapproachable, but Julia hasn't a bit of tact 1482 01:29:58.720 --> 01:30:01.880 and men I find acquire a great deal. They purr 1483 01:30:01.920 --> 01:30:03.520 if you rub them the right way, and spit if 1484 01:30:03.560 --> 01:30:07.279 you don't. That isn't a very elegant metaphor. I mean 1485 01:30:07.319 --> 01:30:12.520 it figuratively. We are reading Marie Beshkertzeff's journal. Isn't it amazing? 1486 01:30:13.000 --> 01:30:16.039 Listen to this? Last night I was seized by a 1487 01:30:16.079 --> 01:30:19.119 fit of despair that found utterance in moans, and that 1488 01:30:19.279 --> 01:30:22.479 finally drove me to throw the dining room clock into 1489 01:30:22.479 --> 01:30:25.920 the sea. It makes me almost hope I'm not a genius. 1490 01:30:26.359 --> 01:30:29.239 They must be very wearing to have about, and awfully 1491 01:30:29.239 --> 01:30:33.279 destructive to the furniture mercy. How it keeps pouring, we 1492 01:30:33.319 --> 01:30:36.439 shall have to swim to chapel tonight. Yours ever, Judy 1493 01:30:37.960 --> 01:30:42.159 twentieth January. Dear Daddy longlegs, did you ever have a 1494 01:30:42.279 --> 01:30:45.239 sweet baby girl who was stolen from the cradle in infancy? 1495 01:30:45.720 --> 01:30:48.159 Maybe I am she? If we were in a novel, 1496 01:30:48.199 --> 01:30:51.039 that would be the day to mont, wouldn't it. It's 1497 01:30:51.079 --> 01:30:53.800 really awfully queer not to know what one is sort 1498 01:30:53.840 --> 01:30:57.800 of exciting and romantic. There's such a lot of possibilities. 1499 01:30:58.279 --> 01:31:01.399 Maybe I'm not American. Lots of people, aren't. I may 1500 01:31:01.439 --> 01:31:04.159 be straight descended from the ancient Romans. Or I may 1501 01:31:04.159 --> 01:31:07.680 be a Viking's daughter. Or I may be the child 1502 01:31:07.720 --> 01:31:10.119 of a Russian exile and belong by rights in a 1503 01:31:10.119 --> 01:31:13.840 Siberian prison. Or maybe I'm a gypsy. I think perhaps 1504 01:31:13.840 --> 01:31:16.479 I am. I have a very wandering spirit, though I 1505 01:31:16.479 --> 01:31:19.600 haven't as yet had much chance to develop it. Do 1506 01:31:19.640 --> 01:31:22.319 you know about that one scandalous blot in my career, 1507 01:31:22.560 --> 01:31:24.520 the time I ran away from the asylum because they 1508 01:31:24.520 --> 01:31:27.439 punished me for stealing cookies. It's down in the books, 1509 01:31:27.479 --> 01:31:30.399 free for any trustee to read. But really, Daddy, what 1510 01:31:30.479 --> 01:31:33.399 could you expect when you put a hungry little nine 1511 01:31:33.439 --> 01:31:36.279 year old girl in a pantry scouring knives with the 1512 01:31:36.279 --> 01:31:38.960 cookie jar at her elbow, and go off and leave 1513 01:31:38.960 --> 01:31:42.279 her alone, and then suddenly pop in again. Wouldn't you 1514 01:31:42.319 --> 01:31:44.920 expect to find her a bit crummy? And then when 1515 01:31:44.920 --> 01:31:46.840 you jerk her by the elbow and box her ears 1516 01:31:46.880 --> 01:31:48.800 and make her leave the table when the pudding comes 1517 01:31:48.920 --> 01:31:51.039 and tell all the other children that it's because she's 1518 01:31:51.079 --> 01:31:54.560 a thief, wouldn't you expect her to run away? I 1519 01:31:54.600 --> 01:31:57.439 only ran four miles. They caught me and brought me back, 1520 01:31:57.520 --> 01:31:59.319 and every day for a week I was tied like 1521 01:31:59.319 --> 01:32:01.680 a naughty puppy to a stake in the back yard 1522 01:32:01.720 --> 01:32:04.920 while the other children were out at recess. Oh dear, 1523 01:32:05.239 --> 01:32:07.439 there's the chapel bell and after chapel I have a 1524 01:32:07.479 --> 01:32:09.960 committee meeting. I'm sorry because I meant to write you 1525 01:32:10.000 --> 01:32:13.359 a very entertaining letter. This time. I'll Feta Shane, Share, 1526 01:32:13.439 --> 01:32:18.000 Daddy Pax Tibby, Judy p S. There's one thing I'm 1527 01:32:18.039 --> 01:32:24.000 perfectly sure of. I'm not a chinaman. Fourth February, Dear, 1528 01:32:24.079 --> 01:32:26.520 Daddy long Legs, Jimmy mc bride has sent me a 1529 01:32:26.560 --> 01:32:28.880 Princeton banner as big as one end of the room. 1530 01:32:29.439 --> 01:32:31.560 I'm very grateful to him for remembering me, but I 1531 01:32:31.560 --> 01:32:33.800 don't know what on earth to do with it. Sally 1532 01:32:33.840 --> 01:32:35.920 and Julia won't let me hang it up. Our room 1533 01:32:35.920 --> 01:32:38.000 this year is furnished in red, and you can imagine 1534 01:32:38.000 --> 01:32:40.399 what an effect we'd have if I added orange and black. 1535 01:32:41.119 --> 01:32:43.319 But it's such a nice, warm, thick felt I hate 1536 01:32:43.319 --> 01:32:45.680 to waste it. Would it be very improper to have 1537 01:32:45.720 --> 01:32:48.319 it made into a bathrobe. My old one shrank when 1538 01:32:48.319 --> 01:32:51.840 it was washed. I've entirely omitted of late telling you 1539 01:32:51.880 --> 01:32:54.439 what I'm learning. But though you might not imagine it 1540 01:32:54.479 --> 01:32:57.920 from my letters, my time is exclusively occupied with study. 1541 01:32:58.359 --> 01:33:01.000 It's a very bewildering matter to get educated in five 1542 01:33:01.039 --> 01:33:06.039 branches at once. The test of true scholarship, says chemistry professor, 1543 01:33:06.520 --> 01:33:11.199 is a painstaking passion for detail. Be careful not to 1544 01:33:11.279 --> 01:33:15.159 keep your eyes glued to detail, says history professor. Stand 1545 01:33:15.239 --> 01:33:17.560 far enough away to get a perspective of the whole. 1546 01:33:18.479 --> 01:33:20.560 You can see with what nicety we have to trim 1547 01:33:20.600 --> 01:33:24.079 our sales between chemistry and history. I like the historical 1548 01:33:24.119 --> 01:33:26.800 method best. If I say that William the Conqueror came 1549 01:33:26.840 --> 01:33:30.399 over in fourteen ninety two, and Columbus discovered America in 1550 01:33:30.439 --> 01:33:32.800 eleven hundred or ten sixty six, or whatever it was. 1551 01:33:33.079 --> 01:33:36.159 That's a mere detail that the professor overlooks. It gives 1552 01:33:36.199 --> 01:33:39.279 a feeling of security and restfulness to the history recitation 1553 01:33:39.560 --> 01:33:43.439 that is entirely lacking in chemistry. Six hour bell. I 1554 01:33:43.520 --> 01:33:45.720 must go to the laboratory and look into a little 1555 01:33:45.720 --> 01:33:48.880 matter of acids and salts and alkalis. I've burned a 1556 01:33:48.880 --> 01:33:50.439 hole as big as a plate in the front of 1557 01:33:50.479 --> 01:33:54.039 my chemistry apron with hydrochloric acid. If the theory worked. 1558 01:33:54.079 --> 01:33:55.880 I ought to be able to neutralize that hole with 1559 01:33:55.920 --> 01:33:59.920 good strong ammonia on time examinations next week. But who 1560 01:34:00.000 --> 01:34:05.359 he was afraid? Yours ever, Judy fifth March, Dear Daddy, 1561 01:34:05.399 --> 01:34:08.359 long legs. There is a march wind blowing and the 1562 01:34:08.399 --> 01:34:12.359 sky is filled with heavy, black moving clouds. The crows 1563 01:34:12.399 --> 01:34:15.199 in the pine trees are making such a clamor. It's 1564 01:34:15.239 --> 01:34:20.279 an intoxicating, exhilarating calling noise. You want to close your 1565 01:34:20.279 --> 01:34:22.560 books and be off over the hills to race with 1566 01:34:22.640 --> 01:34:26.000 the wind. We had a paper chase last Saturday over 1567 01:34:26.079 --> 01:34:30.119 five miles of squashy cross country. The fox, composed of 1568 01:34:30.159 --> 01:34:33.159 three girls and a bushel or so of confetti, started 1569 01:34:33.159 --> 01:34:35.760 half an hour before the twenty seven hunters. I was 1570 01:34:35.760 --> 01:34:38.159 one of the twenty seven, eight dropped by the wayside. 1571 01:34:38.159 --> 01:34:41.640 We ended nineteen. The trail led over a hill, through 1572 01:34:41.640 --> 01:34:44.560 a cornfield and into a swamp where we had to 1573 01:34:44.640 --> 01:34:47.600 leap lightly from hummock to hummock, and of course half 1574 01:34:47.600 --> 01:34:50.800 of us went in ankle deep. We kept losing the trail, 1575 01:34:50.920 --> 01:34:53.800 and we wasted twenty five minutes over that swamp, then 1576 01:34:53.880 --> 01:34:56.119 up a hill, through some woods and in at a 1577 01:34:56.119 --> 01:34:58.880 barn window. The barn doors were all locked and the 1578 01:34:58.920 --> 01:35:01.640 window was up high and pretty small. I don't call 1579 01:35:01.680 --> 01:35:05.119 that fair, do you? But we didn't go through. We 1580 01:35:05.239 --> 01:35:07.880 circumnavigated the barn and picked up the trail where it 1581 01:35:07.960 --> 01:35:10.359 issued by way of a low shed roof on to 1582 01:35:10.479 --> 01:35:12.920 the top of the fence. The fox thought he had 1583 01:35:13.000 --> 01:35:16.560 us there, but we fooled him. Then straightway over two 1584 01:35:16.600 --> 01:35:19.319 miles of rolling meadow and awfully hard to follow, for 1585 01:35:19.359 --> 01:35:22.279 the confetti was getting sparse. The rule is that it 1586 01:35:22.359 --> 01:35:24.439 must be at the most six feet apart, but they 1587 01:35:24.439 --> 01:35:28.159 were the longest six feet I ever saw. Finally, after 1588 01:35:28.239 --> 01:35:31.920 two hours of steady trotting, we tracked Monsieur Fox into 1589 01:35:31.920 --> 01:35:34.520 the kitchen of Crystal Spring. That's a farm where the 1590 01:35:34.520 --> 01:35:36.800 girls go in bob sleighs and hay wagons for chicken 1591 01:35:36.840 --> 01:35:40.399 and waffle suppers, and we found the three foxes placidly 1592 01:35:40.439 --> 01:35:43.239 eating milk and honey and biscuits. They hadn't thought we 1593 01:35:43.279 --> 01:35:45.680 would get that far. They were expecting us to stick 1594 01:35:45.680 --> 01:35:48.920 in the barn window. Both sides insist that they won. 1595 01:35:49.279 --> 01:35:51.640 I think we did, don't you, because we caught them 1596 01:35:51.640 --> 01:35:55.079 before they got back to campus. Anyway, all nineteen of 1597 01:35:55.159 --> 01:35:58.279 us settled like locusts over the furniture and clamored for honey. 1598 01:35:58.680 --> 01:36:01.399 There wasn't enough to go around. But missus Crystal Spring, 1599 01:36:01.760 --> 01:36:03.600 that's our pet name for her. She's by right to 1600 01:36:03.720 --> 01:36:06.439 Johnson brought up a jar of strawberry jam and a 1601 01:36:06.479 --> 01:36:09.479 can of maple syrup, just made last week, and three 1602 01:36:09.520 --> 01:36:12.319 loaves of brown bread. We didn't get back to college 1603 01:36:12.359 --> 01:36:14.960 till half past six, half an hour late for dinner, 1604 01:36:15.079 --> 01:36:17.600 and we went straight in without dressing and with perfectly 1605 01:36:17.680 --> 01:36:21.199 unimpaired appetites. Then we all cut evening chapel, the state 1606 01:36:21.239 --> 01:36:24.640 of our boots being enough of an excuse. I never 1607 01:36:24.680 --> 01:36:28.359 told you about examinations. I passed everything with the utmost ease. 1608 01:36:28.520 --> 01:36:30.399 I know the secret now and I am never going 1609 01:36:30.399 --> 01:36:33.560 to fail again. I shan't be able to graduate with honors, though, 1610 01:36:33.560 --> 01:36:36.760 because of that beastly Latin prose and geometry freshman year. 1611 01:36:37.199 --> 01:36:40.079 But I don't care what's the hawgs, as long as 1612 01:36:40.079 --> 01:36:43.600 you're rappy. That's a quotation. I've been reading the English classics. 1613 01:36:44.319 --> 01:36:47.960 Speaking of classics, have you ever read Hamlet? If you haven't, 1614 01:36:47.960 --> 01:36:51.760 do it right off, it's perfectly corking. I've been hearing 1615 01:36:51.760 --> 01:36:54.000 about Shakespeare all my life, but I had no idea 1616 01:36:54.039 --> 01:36:56.680 he really wrote so well. I always suspected him of 1617 01:36:56.760 --> 01:37:00.800 going largely on his reputation. I have a beautiful play 1618 01:37:00.840 --> 01:37:02.600 that I invented a long time ago. When I first 1619 01:37:02.680 --> 01:37:05.319 learned to read. I put myself to sleep every night 1620 01:37:05.359 --> 01:37:08.600 by pretending I'm the person, the most important person in 1621 01:37:08.680 --> 01:37:12.039 the book I'm reading at the moment at present. I'm Aphelia, 1622 01:37:12.439 --> 01:37:16.000 and such a sensible Ophelia. I keep Hamlet amused all 1623 01:37:16.000 --> 01:37:17.800 the time, and pat him and scold him and make 1624 01:37:17.880 --> 01:37:19.560 him wrap up his throat when he has a cold. 1625 01:37:19.960 --> 01:37:22.960 I've entirely cured him of being melancholy. The King and 1626 01:37:23.079 --> 01:37:26.319 Queen are both dead an accident at sea, no funeral necessary. 1627 01:37:26.560 --> 01:37:29.159 So Hamlet and I are ruling in Denmark without any bother. 1628 01:37:29.680 --> 01:37:32.520 We have the kingdom working beautifully. He takes care of 1629 01:37:32.520 --> 01:37:35.359 the governing, and I look after the charities. I've just 1630 01:37:35.399 --> 01:37:38.880 founded some first class orphan asylums. If you or any 1631 01:37:38.920 --> 01:37:40.800 of the other trustees would like to visit them, I 1632 01:37:40.840 --> 01:37:43.000 shall be pleased to show you. Through. I think you 1633 01:37:43.079 --> 01:37:47.640 might find a great many helpful suggestions. I remain sir, yours, 1634 01:37:47.680 --> 01:37:53.319 most graciously Ophelia, Queen of Denmark twenty fourth March, maybe 1635 01:37:53.319 --> 01:37:56.720 the twenty fifth, Dear Daddy, longlegs. I don't believe I 1636 01:37:56.720 --> 01:37:58.720 can be going to heaven. I am getting such a 1637 01:37:58.720 --> 01:38:00.920 lot of good things here it wouldn't be fair to 1638 01:38:00.920 --> 01:38:04.560 get them here after too. Listen to what has happened. 1639 01:38:05.479 --> 01:38:10.119 Jerusha Abbott has won the Short Story Contest, a twenty 1640 01:38:10.159 --> 01:38:13.840 five dollars prize that the Monthly holds every year, and 1641 01:38:13.880 --> 01:38:17.920 she's a sophomore. The contestants are mostly seniors. When I 1642 01:38:17.920 --> 01:38:20.920 saw my name posted, I couldn't quite believe it was true. 1643 01:38:21.680 --> 01:38:23.479 Maybe I am going to be an author after all. 1644 01:38:24.079 --> 01:38:26.640 I wish missus Lippett hadn't given me such a silly name. 1645 01:38:27.119 --> 01:38:30.640 It sounds like an authoress, doesn't it. Also, I have 1646 01:38:30.720 --> 01:38:33.600 been chosen for the Spring Dramatics, as you like it. 1647 01:38:33.680 --> 01:38:36.600 Out of Doors, I'm going to be Celia own cousin 1648 01:38:36.640 --> 01:38:40.399 to Rosalind. And lastly, Julia and Sally and I are 1649 01:38:40.399 --> 01:38:42.760 going to New York next Friday to do some spring 1650 01:38:42.800 --> 01:38:45.079 shopping and stay all night and go to the theater 1651 01:38:45.159 --> 01:38:48.640 the next day with Master Jerviy. He invited us. Julia 1652 01:38:48.720 --> 01:38:50.680 is going to stay at home with her family. But 1653 01:38:50.840 --> 01:38:53.039 Sally and I are going to stop at the Martha 1654 01:38:53.239 --> 01:38:56.960 Washington Hotel. Did you ever hear of anything so exciting? 1655 01:38:57.520 --> 01:38:59.560 I've never been in a hotel in my life, nor 1656 01:38:59.560 --> 01:39:02.800 an except once when the Catholic Church had a festival 1657 01:39:02.840 --> 01:39:05.319 and invited the Orphans. But that wasn't a real play 1658 01:39:05.399 --> 01:39:08.039 and it doesn't count. And what do you think We're 1659 01:39:08.039 --> 01:39:11.960 going to see Hamlet? Think of that? We've studied it 1660 01:39:12.000 --> 01:39:13.840 for four weeks in Shakespeare class and I know it 1661 01:39:13.880 --> 01:39:17.479 by heart. I'm so excited over all these prospects that 1662 01:39:17.520 --> 01:39:22.279 I could scarcely sleep. Goodbye, Daddy, This is a very 1663 01:39:22.439 --> 01:39:27.800 entertaining world, yours, eh, Judy pes. I've just looked at 1664 01:39:27.800 --> 01:39:31.800 the calendar. It's the twenty eighth. Another PostScript. I saw 1665 01:39:31.800 --> 01:39:34.159 a street car conductor today with one brown eye and 1666 01:39:34.239 --> 01:39:36.920 one blue. Wouldn't he make a nice villain for a 1667 01:39:36.960 --> 01:39:42.720 detective story? Seventh April. Dear Daddy, long Legs, Mercy isn't 1668 01:39:42.720 --> 01:39:46.159 New York? Big Wooster is nothing to it? Do you 1669 01:39:46.199 --> 01:39:48.239 mean to tell me that you actually live in all 1670 01:39:48.279 --> 01:39:51.079 that confusion? I don't believe that I shall recover for 1671 01:39:51.199 --> 01:39:53.479 months from the bewildering effect of two days of it. 1672 01:39:54.039 --> 01:39:56.800 I can't begin to tell you all the amazing things 1673 01:39:56.840 --> 01:39:59.800 I've seen. I suppose you know, though, since you live 1674 01:39:59.840 --> 01:40:04.600 there yourself. But aren't the streets entertaining and the people 1675 01:40:04.680 --> 01:40:07.720 and the shops. I never saw such lovely things as 1676 01:40:07.760 --> 01:40:09.880 there are in the windows. It makes you want to 1677 01:40:09.880 --> 01:40:13.079 devote your life to wearing clothes. Sally and Julia and 1678 01:40:13.119 --> 01:40:16.159 I went shopping together Saturday morning. Julia went into the 1679 01:40:16.279 --> 01:40:20.399 very most gorgeous place I ever saw, white and gold walls, 1680 01:40:20.439 --> 01:40:24.079 and blue carpets and blue silk curtains and gilt chairs. 1681 01:40:24.720 --> 01:40:28.199 A perfectly beautiful lady with yellow hair and the long 1682 01:40:28.319 --> 01:40:31.520 black silk trailing gown came to meet us with a 1683 01:40:31.560 --> 01:40:34.560 welcoming smile. I thought we were paying a social call 1684 01:40:34.600 --> 01:40:37.039 and started to shake hands, But it seems we were 1685 01:40:37.039 --> 01:40:40.359 only buying hats. At least Julia was. She sat down 1686 01:40:40.359 --> 01:40:42.479 in front of a mirror and tried on a dozen, 1687 01:40:42.760 --> 01:40:46.199 each lovelier than the last, and bought the too loveliest 1688 01:40:46.239 --> 01:40:50.039 of all. I can't imagine any joy in life greater 1689 01:40:50.119 --> 01:40:52.399 than sitting down in front of a mirror and buying 1690 01:40:52.439 --> 01:40:56.279 any hat you choose without having first to consider the price. 1691 01:40:57.039 --> 01:40:59.680 There's no doubt about it. Daddy New York would rapidly 1692 01:40:59.720 --> 01:41:03.039 under this fine, stoical character which the John Greer Home 1693 01:41:03.119 --> 01:41:06.800 so patiently built up. And after we'd finish our shopping, 1694 01:41:07.000 --> 01:41:10.560 we met Master Jerviy at Sherry's. I suppose you've been 1695 01:41:10.560 --> 01:41:14.439 in Sherry's picture that then picture the dining room of 1696 01:41:14.439 --> 01:41:17.520 the John Greer Home, with its oilcloth covered tables and 1697 01:41:17.560 --> 01:41:21.079 white crockery that you can't break, and wooden handled knives 1698 01:41:21.079 --> 01:41:25.239 and forks, and fancy the way I felt. I ate 1699 01:41:25.359 --> 01:41:27.800 my fish with the wrong fork, but the waiter very 1700 01:41:27.880 --> 01:41:31.000 kindly gave me another so that nobody noticed. And after 1701 01:41:31.079 --> 01:41:36.439 luncheon we went to the theater. It was dazzling, marvelous, unbelievable. 1702 01:41:36.760 --> 01:41:42.079 I dream about it every night. Isn't Shakespeare wonderful? Hamlet 1703 01:41:42.119 --> 01:41:44.039 is so much better on the stage than when we 1704 01:41:44.079 --> 01:41:47.359 analyze it in class. I appreciated it before, but now, 1705 01:41:47.520 --> 01:41:51.600 dear me, I think, if you don't mind, that I'd 1706 01:41:51.640 --> 01:41:54.000 rather be an actress than a writer. Wouldn't you like 1707 01:41:54.039 --> 01:41:56.079 me to leave college and go into a dramatic school? 1708 01:41:56.520 --> 01:41:58.920 And then I'll send you a box for all my performances? 1709 01:41:59.159 --> 01:42:02.680 And smile crossed the footlights only where a red rose 1710 01:42:02.680 --> 01:42:04.760 in your buttonhole? Please, So I'll surely smile at the 1711 01:42:04.840 --> 01:42:07.760 right man. It would be an awfully embarrassing mistake if 1712 01:42:07.760 --> 01:42:11.000 I picked out the wrong one. We came back Saturday 1713 01:42:11.039 --> 01:42:13.239 night and had our dinner in the train at little 1714 01:42:13.319 --> 01:42:16.680 tables with pink lamps and Negro waiters. I never heard 1715 01:42:16.680 --> 01:42:21.199 of meals being served in trains before, and I inadvertently said, so, 1716 01:42:21.600 --> 01:42:24.760 where on earth were you brought up, said Julia to me. 1717 01:42:25.640 --> 01:42:29.199 In a village, said I meekly to Julia. But didn't 1718 01:42:29.239 --> 01:42:32.279 you ever travel, said she to me. Not till I 1719 01:42:32.319 --> 01:42:34.000 came to college, and then it was only one hundred 1720 01:42:34.039 --> 01:42:36.439 and sixty miles, and we didn't eat, said I to her. 1721 01:42:37.399 --> 01:42:39.840 She's getting quite interested in me because I say such 1722 01:42:39.880 --> 01:42:42.600 funny things. I try hard not to, but they do 1723 01:42:42.680 --> 01:42:45.399 pop out when I'm surprised, and I'm surprised most of 1724 01:42:45.439 --> 01:42:49.239 the time. It's a dizzying experienced daddy to pass eighteen 1725 01:42:49.319 --> 01:42:51.439 years in the John Greer Home and then suddenly to 1726 01:42:51.479 --> 01:42:54.680 be plunged into the world. But I'm getting acclimated. I 1727 01:42:54.720 --> 01:42:56.560 don't make such awful mistakes as I did, and I 1728 01:42:56.560 --> 01:42:59.319 don't feel uncomfortable any more. With the other girls I 1729 01:42:59.399 --> 01:43:01.880 used to score. Whenever people looked at me, I felt 1730 01:43:01.880 --> 01:43:04.319 as though they saw right through my sham new clothes 1731 01:43:04.560 --> 01:43:07.760 to the Czech Ginghams underneath. But I'm not letting the 1732 01:43:07.800 --> 01:43:11.520 Ginghams bother me any more. Sufficient unto yesterday is the 1733 01:43:11.600 --> 01:43:15.359 evil thereof. I forgot to tell you about our flowers. 1734 01:43:15.760 --> 01:43:18.640 Master Jerviy gave us each a big bunch of violets 1735 01:43:18.680 --> 01:43:20.840 and lilies of the valley. Wasn't that sweet of him? 1736 01:43:21.359 --> 01:43:24.199 I never used to care much for men judging by trustees. 1737 01:43:24.399 --> 01:43:27.920 When I'm changing my mind eleven pages, this is a 1738 01:43:28.039 --> 01:43:31.680 letter have courage. I'm going to stop yours always, Judy 1739 01:43:33.720 --> 01:43:37.359 tenth April. Dear mister rich Man, here's your check for 1740 01:43:37.399 --> 01:43:39.640 fifty dollars. Thank you very much, but I do not 1741 01:43:39.720 --> 01:43:42.199 feel that I can keep it. My allowance is sufficient 1742 01:43:42.199 --> 01:43:44.279 to afford all the hats that I need. I am 1743 01:43:44.319 --> 01:43:46.079 sorry that I wrote all that silly stuff about the 1744 01:43:46.079 --> 01:43:48.560 millinery shop. It's just that I had never seen anything 1745 01:43:48.640 --> 01:43:51.680 like it before. However, I wasn't begging, and I would 1746 01:43:51.760 --> 01:43:55.119 rather not accept any more charity than I have to. Sincerely, Yours, 1747 01:43:55.279 --> 01:44:00.439 Jerusha Abbott, eleventh April dearest Daddy, will you please forgive 1748 01:44:00.439 --> 01:44:02.720 me for the letter I wrote you yesterday? After I 1749 01:44:02.760 --> 01:44:04.800 posted it, I was sorry and tried to get it back, 1750 01:44:04.840 --> 01:44:07.199 but that beastly mail clerk wouldn't give it back to me. 1751 01:44:08.119 --> 01:44:10.479 It's the middle of the night now. I've been awake 1752 01:44:10.520 --> 01:44:12.960 for hours thinking what a worm I am, What a 1753 01:44:13.199 --> 01:44:16.439 thousand legged worm, And that's the worst I can say. 1754 01:44:17.119 --> 01:44:19.520 I've closed the door very softly into the study so 1755 01:44:19.560 --> 01:44:21.960 as not to wake Julia and Sally, and I'm sitting 1756 01:44:22.000 --> 01:44:23.760 up in bed writing to you on paper torn out 1757 01:44:23.760 --> 01:44:26.319 of my history notebook. I just wanted to tell you 1758 01:44:26.359 --> 01:44:29.159 that I am sorry I was so impolite about your check. 1759 01:44:29.760 --> 01:44:31.720 I know you meant it kindly, and I think you're 1760 01:44:31.720 --> 01:44:33.560 an old dear to take so much trouble for such 1761 01:44:33.560 --> 01:44:35.760 a silly thing as a hat. I ought to have 1762 01:44:35.800 --> 01:44:39.640 returned it very much more graciously, but in any case, 1763 01:44:39.640 --> 01:44:42.279 I had to return it. It's different with me than 1764 01:44:42.279 --> 01:44:45.159 with other girls. They can take things naturally from people 1765 01:44:45.359 --> 01:44:47.640 they have fathers and brothers and aunts and uncles. But 1766 01:44:47.800 --> 01:44:50.840 I can't be on any such relations with anyone. I 1767 01:44:50.960 --> 01:44:52.840 like to pretend you belong to me, just to play 1768 01:44:52.840 --> 01:44:54.760 with the idea, but of course I know you don't. 1769 01:44:55.640 --> 01:44:58.359 I'm alone, really, with my back to the wall, fighting 1770 01:44:58.399 --> 01:45:00.800 the world, and I get sort of when I think 1771 01:45:00.840 --> 01:45:02.800 about it. I put it out of my mind and 1772 01:45:02.880 --> 01:45:05.640 keep on pretending. But don't you see, Daddy, I can't 1773 01:45:05.680 --> 01:45:08.760 accept any more money than I have to, because someday 1774 01:45:08.760 --> 01:45:10.920 I should be wanting to pay it back, and even 1775 01:45:10.960 --> 01:45:12.920 as great an author as I intend to be, won't 1776 01:45:12.920 --> 01:45:16.760 be able to face a perfectly tremendous debt. I love 1777 01:45:16.800 --> 01:45:19.680 pretty hats and things, but I mustn't mortgage the future 1778 01:45:19.720 --> 01:45:22.680 to pay for them. You'll forgive me, won't you? For 1779 01:45:22.760 --> 01:45:25.159 being so rude. I have an awful habit of writing 1780 01:45:25.159 --> 01:45:27.920 impulsively when I first think things, and then posting the 1781 01:45:28.000 --> 01:45:32.199 letter beyond recall. But if I sometimes seem thoughtless and ungrateful, 1782 01:45:32.640 --> 01:45:35.600 I never mean it. In my heart. I thank you 1783 01:45:35.760 --> 01:45:39.039 always for the life and freedom and independence that you 1784 01:45:39.079 --> 01:45:42.880 have given me. My childhood was just a long, sullen 1785 01:45:42.920 --> 01:45:46.239 stretch of revolt, and now I am so happy every 1786 01:45:46.279 --> 01:45:48.479 moment of the day that I can't believe it's true. 1787 01:45:49.199 --> 01:45:52.199 I feel like I've made up heroin in a story book. 1788 01:45:52.439 --> 01:45:55.119 It's a quarter past two. I'm going to tiptoe out 1789 01:45:55.119 --> 01:45:57.239 to post this off. Now you'll receive it in the 1790 01:45:57.239 --> 01:45:59.039 next mail after the other, so you won't have a 1791 01:45:59.119 --> 01:46:02.159 very long time to think bad of me. Good night, Daddy, 1792 01:46:02.960 --> 01:46:09.960 I love you always. Judy fourth May Dear Daddy. Longlegs 1793 01:46:10.039 --> 01:46:14.079 Field Day last Saturday. It was a very spectacular occasion. First, 1794 01:46:14.079 --> 01:46:16.399 we had a parade of all the classes, with everybody 1795 01:46:16.479 --> 01:46:19.560 dressed in white linen, the seniors carrying blue and gold 1796 01:46:19.640 --> 01:46:23.279 Japanese umbrellas and the junior's white and yellow banners. Our 1797 01:46:23.319 --> 01:46:27.399 class had crimson balloons, very fetching, especially as they were 1798 01:46:27.439 --> 01:46:30.239 always getting loose and floating off, and the freshman wore 1799 01:46:30.279 --> 01:46:33.680 green tissue paper hats with long streamers. Also, we had 1800 01:46:33.680 --> 01:46:36.600 a band in blue uniforms hired from town. Also about 1801 01:46:36.600 --> 01:46:38.880 a dozen funny people like clowns in a circus to 1802 01:46:38.960 --> 01:46:43.479 keep the spectators entertained between events. Julia was dressed as 1803 01:46:43.520 --> 01:46:46.520 a fat country man with a linen duster and whiskers 1804 01:46:46.520 --> 01:46:50.720 and a baggy umbrella. Patsy Moriarty Patricia, really did you 1805 01:46:50.760 --> 01:46:53.720 ever hear such a name? Missus Lippet couldn't have done better? 1806 01:46:54.000 --> 01:46:56.439 Who is tall and thin? Was Julia's wife, in an 1807 01:46:56.439 --> 01:47:00.239 absurd green bonnet over one ear waves of las after 1808 01:47:00.319 --> 01:47:03.279 follow the whole length of the course. Julia played the 1809 01:47:03.279 --> 01:47:06.039 part extremely well. I never dreamed that a Pendleton could 1810 01:47:06.079 --> 01:47:10.840 display so much comedy, spirit, begging Master Jervy's pardon. I 1811 01:47:10.880 --> 01:47:13.600 don't consider him a true Pendleton though, any more than 1812 01:47:13.640 --> 01:47:17.279 I consider you a true trustee. Sally and I weren't 1813 01:47:17.319 --> 01:47:19.439 in the parade because we were entered for the events, 1814 01:47:19.520 --> 01:47:22.760 and what do you think? We both won, at least 1815 01:47:22.800 --> 01:47:25.680 in something. We tried for the running broad jump and lost, 1816 01:47:25.880 --> 01:47:29.159 but Sally won the pole vaulting seven feet three inches 1817 01:47:29.560 --> 01:47:33.039 and I won the fifty yard sprint eight seconds. I 1818 01:47:33.119 --> 01:47:34.840 was pretty panting at the end, but it was great 1819 01:47:34.880 --> 01:47:37.720 fun with the whole class waving balloons and cheering and 1820 01:47:37.840 --> 01:47:40.079 yelling what's the matter with Judy Abbot? 1821 01:47:40.119 --> 01:47:41.119 She's all right? 1822 01:47:41.640 --> 01:47:48.600 Who's all right, Judy Abbot? That daddy is true fame, 1823 01:47:49.439 --> 01:47:52.079 Then trotting back to the dressing tent and being rubbed 1824 01:47:52.079 --> 01:47:54.640 down with alcohol and having a lemon to suck. You see, 1825 01:47:54.680 --> 01:47:57.600 we're very professional. It's a fine thing to win an 1826 01:47:57.640 --> 01:48:00.119 event for your class, because the class that wins the 1827 01:48:00.159 --> 01:48:03.000 most gets the Athletic Cup for the year the seniors 1828 01:48:03.039 --> 01:48:05.000 won it this year, with seven events to their credit. 1829 01:48:05.399 --> 01:48:07.960 The Athletic Association gave a dinner in the gymnasium to 1830 01:48:08.000 --> 01:48:11.000 all of the winners. We had fried soft shell crabs 1831 01:48:11.039 --> 01:48:13.680 and chocolate ice cream molded in the shape of basketballs. 1832 01:48:15.359 --> 01:48:17.439 I sat up half of last night reading Jane Eyre. 1833 01:48:18.039 --> 01:48:20.720 Are you old enough, daddy to remember sixty years ago? 1834 01:48:20.880 --> 01:48:24.960 And if so? Did people talk that way? The haughty 1835 01:48:25.039 --> 01:48:28.279 lady Blanche says to the footman, stop your chattering knave 1836 01:48:28.359 --> 01:48:31.640 and do my bidding. Mister Rochester talks about the metal 1837 01:48:31.720 --> 01:48:34.479 welkin when he means the sky and asks for the 1838 01:48:34.520 --> 01:48:37.560 mad woman, who laughs like a hyena and sets fire 1839 01:48:37.640 --> 01:48:40.680 to bed curtains and tears up wedding veils and bites. 1840 01:48:41.319 --> 01:48:44.159 It's melodrama of the purest, but just the same. You 1841 01:48:44.239 --> 01:48:47.159 read and read and read. I can't see how any 1842 01:48:47.159 --> 01:48:49.600 girl could have written such a book, especially any girl 1843 01:48:49.600 --> 01:48:52.479 who was brought up in a churchyard. There's something about 1844 01:48:52.479 --> 01:48:56.760 those Brontes that fascinates me. Their books, their lives, their spirit. 1845 01:48:56.960 --> 01:48:59.960 Where did they get it? When I was reading about 1846 01:49:00.000 --> 01:49:02.720 little Jane's troubles in the charity school, I got so 1847 01:49:02.800 --> 01:49:04.479 angry that I had to go out and take a walk. 1848 01:49:05.199 --> 01:49:08.520 I understood exactly how she felt. Having known Missus Lippett, 1849 01:49:08.920 --> 01:49:12.840 I could see mister Brocklehurst. Don't be outraged, daddy. I 1850 01:49:12.880 --> 01:49:15.520 am not intimating that the John Greer Home was like 1851 01:49:15.520 --> 01:49:18.479 the Lowood Institute. We had plenty to eat, plenty to wear, 1852 01:49:18.520 --> 01:49:20.720 a sufficient water to wash in, and a furnace in 1853 01:49:20.760 --> 01:49:24.720 the cellar. But there was one deadly likeness. Our lives 1854 01:49:24.760 --> 01:49:29.960 were absolutely monotonous and uneventful. Nothing nice ever happened except 1855 01:49:29.960 --> 01:49:33.119 ice cream on Sundays, and even that was regular. In 1856 01:49:33.199 --> 01:49:35.279 all the eighteen years I was there, I only had 1857 01:49:35.279 --> 01:49:38.520 one adventure when the woodshed burned. We had to get 1858 01:49:38.600 --> 01:49:40.039 up in the night and dress so as to be 1859 01:49:40.079 --> 01:49:43.119 ready in case the house should catch. But it didn't catch, 1860 01:49:43.279 --> 01:49:46.960 and we went back to bed. Everybody likes a few surprises, 1861 01:49:47.520 --> 01:49:50.920 it's a perfectly natural human craving. But I never had 1862 01:49:50.960 --> 01:49:54.600 one until Missus Lippett called me to the office to 1863 01:49:54.640 --> 01:49:56.479 tell me that mister John Smith was going to send 1864 01:49:56.479 --> 01:49:59.039 me to college. And then she broke the news so 1865 01:49:59.079 --> 01:50:03.199 gradually that it just barely shocked me. You know, Daddy, 1866 01:50:03.600 --> 01:50:06.159 I think the most necessary quality for any person to 1867 01:50:06.199 --> 01:50:09.720 have is imagination. It makes people able to put themselves 1868 01:50:09.760 --> 01:50:13.520 in other people's places. It makes them kind and sympathetic 1869 01:50:13.560 --> 01:50:17.119 and understanding. It ought to be cultivated in children, but 1870 01:50:17.199 --> 01:50:20.720 the John greer Holme instantly stamped out the slightest flicker 1871 01:50:20.760 --> 01:50:25.000 that appeared. Duty was the one quality that wasn't encouraged. 1872 01:50:25.920 --> 01:50:27.560 I don't think children ought to know the meaning of 1873 01:50:27.560 --> 01:50:30.680 the word it's odious, detestable. They ought to do everything 1874 01:50:30.720 --> 01:50:33.840 from love. Wait till you see the orphan asylum that 1875 01:50:33.960 --> 01:50:36.359 I'm going to be the head of. It's my favorite play. 1876 01:50:36.359 --> 01:50:38.560 At night before I go to sleep, I plan it 1877 01:50:38.600 --> 01:50:41.880 out to the littlest detail, the meals and clothes and 1878 01:50:41.920 --> 01:50:45.600 study and amusements and punishments. For even my superior orphans 1879 01:50:45.600 --> 01:50:49.479 are sometimes bad, but anyway they're going to be happy. 1880 01:50:50.239 --> 01:50:52.600 I think that everyone, no matter how many troubles he 1881 01:50:52.640 --> 01:50:54.520 may have when he grows up, ought to have a 1882 01:50:54.560 --> 01:50:57.560 happy childhood to look back upon. And if I ever 1883 01:50:57.600 --> 01:50:59.960 have any children of my own, no matter how unhe 1884 01:51:00.079 --> 01:51:02.279 happy I may be, I am not going to let 1885 01:51:02.359 --> 01:51:05.640 them have any cares until they grow up. There goes 1886 01:51:05.680 --> 01:51:11.000 the chapel bell. I'll finish this letter sometime Thursday. When 1887 01:51:11.039 --> 01:51:13.279 I came in from laboratory this afternoon, I found a 1888 01:51:13.319 --> 01:51:16.560 squirrel sitting on the tea table helping himself to almonds. 1889 01:51:17.039 --> 01:51:18.920 These are the kind of callers we entertain now that 1890 01:51:18.960 --> 01:51:23.359 warm weather has come in, the windows stay open Saturday morning. 1891 01:51:24.199 --> 01:51:27.239 Perhaps you think last night, being Friday with no classes 1892 01:51:27.279 --> 01:51:30.359 to day, that I passed a nice, quiet, readable evening 1893 01:51:30.399 --> 01:51:32.159 with the set of Stevenson that I bought with my 1894 01:51:32.199 --> 01:51:36.279 prize money. But if so, you've never attended a girls college. Daddy, Dear, 1895 01:51:36.760 --> 01:51:38.760 six friends dropped in to make fudge, and one of 1896 01:51:38.760 --> 01:51:41.840 them dropped the fudge while it was still liquid, right 1897 01:51:41.880 --> 01:51:43.920 in the middle of our best rug. We shall never 1898 01:51:43.960 --> 01:51:46.800 be able to clean up the mess. I haven't mentioned 1899 01:51:46.840 --> 01:51:48.760 any lessons of late, but we are still having them 1900 01:51:48.800 --> 01:51:51.640 every day. It's sort of a relief, though, to get 1901 01:51:51.680 --> 01:51:54.640 away from them and discuss life in the large rather 1902 01:51:54.680 --> 01:51:56.960 one sided discussions that you and I hold. But that's 1903 01:51:57.000 --> 01:51:59.159 your own fault. You're welcome to answer back any time 1904 01:51:59.199 --> 01:52:01.720 you choose. I've been writing this letter off and on 1905 01:52:01.800 --> 01:52:04.880 for three days, and I fear by now. Vouzette biem board, 1906 01:52:05.760 --> 01:52:12.159 good bye, nice mister Mann. Judy mister Daddy Longlegs smith Sir. 1907 01:52:13.039 --> 01:52:16.039 Having completed the study of argumentation and the science of 1908 01:52:16.079 --> 01:52:18.880 dividing a thesis into heads, I have decided to adopt 1909 01:52:18.880 --> 01:52:22.640 the following form for letter writing. It contains all necessary 1910 01:52:22.680 --> 01:52:28.079 facts but no unnecessary verbiage. One. We had written examinations 1911 01:52:28.119 --> 01:52:33.319 this week in A chemistry B History. Two. A new 1912 01:52:33.319 --> 01:52:38.039 dormitory is being built. A. Its material is a red 1913 01:52:38.079 --> 01:52:44.479 brick B greystone. B. Its capacity will be A one dean, 1914 01:52:44.640 --> 01:52:50.680 five instructors, B two hundred girls, C one housekeeper, three cooks, 1915 01:52:50.800 --> 01:52:55.880 twenty waitresses, twenty chambermaids. Three. We had junk it for 1916 01:52:55.920 --> 01:52:59.439 dessert to night. Four. I am writing a special topic 1917 01:52:59.520 --> 01:53:03.680 upon the so of Shakespeare's plays. Five lu mac mahn 1918 01:53:03.800 --> 01:53:07.079 slipped and fell this afternoon at basketball, and she a 1919 01:53:07.159 --> 01:53:12.279 dislocated her shoulder B Where is her knee? Six? I 1920 01:53:12.399 --> 01:53:15.720 have a new hat trimmed with a blue velvet ribbon 1921 01:53:16.359 --> 01:53:22.279 B two blue quills, C three reb pom poms. Seven. 1922 01:53:22.560 --> 01:53:27.199 It is half past nine. Eight. Good night Judy. 1923 01:53:28.560 --> 01:53:34.199 End of Part five, Part six, second June. Dear Daddy 1924 01:53:34.199 --> 01:53:37.199 long Legs, you will never guess the nice thing that 1925 01:53:37.239 --> 01:53:40.600 has happened The mc brides have asked me to spend 1926 01:53:40.600 --> 01:53:44.039 the summer at their camp at the Adirondacks. They belong 1927 01:53:44.119 --> 01:53:46.640 to a sort of club on a lovely little lake 1928 01:53:46.680 --> 01:53:49.359 in the middle of the woods. The different members have 1929 01:53:49.439 --> 01:53:52.479 houses made of logs dotted about among the trees, and 1930 01:53:52.560 --> 01:53:55.279 they go canoeing on the lake and take long walks 1931 01:53:55.319 --> 01:53:58.000 through the trails to the other camps, and have dances 1932 01:53:58.000 --> 01:54:00.920 once a week in the club house. Jimmy McBride is 1933 01:54:00.960 --> 01:54:03.119 going to have a college friend visiting him part of 1934 01:54:03.119 --> 01:54:05.479 the summer, so you see we shall have plenty of 1935 01:54:05.520 --> 01:54:09.079 men to dance with. Wasn't it sweet of missus McBride 1936 01:54:09.159 --> 01:54:11.760 to ask me? It appears that she liked me when 1937 01:54:11.800 --> 01:54:15.000 I was there for Christmas. Please excuse this being short. 1938 01:54:15.399 --> 01:54:17.840 It isn't a real letter. It's just to let you 1939 01:54:17.880 --> 01:54:20.720 know that I am disposed of for the summer. Yours 1940 01:54:21.079 --> 01:54:26.239 in a very contented frame of mind. Judy, fifth June, 1941 01:54:26.960 --> 01:54:30.760 Dear Daddy long Legs, your secretary man has just written 1942 01:54:30.760 --> 01:54:33.479 to me saying that mister Smith prefers that I should 1943 01:54:33.520 --> 01:54:37.520 not accept missus McBride's invitation, but should return to Lockwillow 1944 01:54:37.560 --> 01:54:42.119 the same as last year. Why why, why, Daddy, you 1945 01:54:42.159 --> 01:54:46.439 don't understand about it. Missus McBride does want me, really 1946 01:54:46.479 --> 01:54:49.319 and truly. I'm not the least bit of trouble in 1947 01:54:49.359 --> 01:54:53.279 the house. I'm a help. They don't take up many servants, 1948 01:54:53.560 --> 01:54:55.960 and Sally and I can do lots of useful things. 1949 01:54:56.560 --> 01:54:59.600 It's a fine chance for me to learn housekeeping. Every 1950 01:54:59.600 --> 01:55:03.239 woman to understand it, and I only know asylum keeping. 1951 01:55:04.239 --> 01:55:06.600 There aren't any girls our age at the camp, and 1952 01:55:06.680 --> 01:55:10.279 Missus McBride wants me for a companion for Sallie. We 1953 01:55:10.359 --> 01:55:13.039 are planning to do a lot of reading together. We 1954 01:55:13.079 --> 01:55:15.079 are going to read all the books for next year's 1955 01:55:15.119 --> 01:55:18.159 English and Sociology. The professor said it would be a 1956 01:55:18.199 --> 01:55:20.239 great help if we would get our reading finished in 1957 01:55:20.279 --> 01:55:22.840 the summer, and it's so much easier to remember it 1958 01:55:22.880 --> 01:55:26.479 if we read together and talk it over. Just to 1959 01:55:26.520 --> 01:55:29.199 live in the same house with Sally's mother is an education. 1960 01:55:29.960 --> 01:55:34.239 She is the most interesting, entertaining, companionable, charming woman in 1961 01:55:34.279 --> 01:55:38.680 the world. She knows everything. Think how many summers I've 1962 01:55:38.720 --> 01:55:41.800 spent with Missus Lippett and how I'll appreciate the contrast. 1963 01:55:42.720 --> 01:55:44.880 You needn't be afraid that I'll be crowding them for 1964 01:55:44.960 --> 01:55:47.560 their house is made of rubber. When they have a 1965 01:55:47.560 --> 01:55:50.039 lot of company, they just sprinkle tents about it in 1966 01:55:50.079 --> 01:55:53.600 the woods and turn the boys outside. It's going to 1967 01:55:53.640 --> 01:55:57.079 be such a nice, healthy summer exercising out of doors 1968 01:55:57.119 --> 01:56:00.520 every minute. Jimmy McBride is going to teach me how 1969 01:56:00.520 --> 01:56:04.000 to ride horseback and paddle a canoe, and how to shoot, 1970 01:56:04.359 --> 01:56:07.840 and oh lots of things I ought to know. It's 1971 01:56:07.880 --> 01:56:10.800 the kind of nice, jolly, care free time that I've 1972 01:56:10.880 --> 01:56:13.880 never had, and I think every girl deserves it once 1973 01:56:13.920 --> 01:56:17.840 in her life. Of course, I'll do exactly as you say, 1974 01:56:18.079 --> 01:56:21.960 but please please let me go, Daddy. I've never wanted 1975 01:56:22.039 --> 01:56:26.199 anything so much. This isn't Jerusha Abbot, the future great 1976 01:56:26.239 --> 01:56:32.399 author writing to you. It's just Judy, a girl. Ninth June, 1977 01:56:33.600 --> 01:56:38.439 Mister John Smith, Sir, Yours of the seventh Instant at hand. 1978 01:56:38.920 --> 01:56:42.279 In compliance with the instructions received through your secretary, I 1979 01:56:42.399 --> 01:56:44.880 leave on Friday next to spend the summer at lock 1980 01:56:44.920 --> 01:56:50.800 Willow Farm. I hope always to remain Miss Jerusha Abbot, 1981 01:56:51.319 --> 01:56:56.000 lock Willow Farm, third August. Dear Daddy long Legs, it 1982 01:56:56.000 --> 01:56:58.920 has been nearly two months since I wrote, which wasn't 1983 01:56:59.000 --> 01:57:01.239 nice of me? I know, but I haven't loved you 1984 01:57:01.319 --> 01:57:05.640 much this summer. You see, I'm being frank. You can't 1985 01:57:05.680 --> 01:57:08.520 imagine how disappointed I was at having to give up 1986 01:57:08.520 --> 01:57:11.560 the mc bride's camp. Of course, I know that you're 1987 01:57:11.640 --> 01:57:14.079 my guardian and that I have to regard your wishes 1988 01:57:14.079 --> 01:57:17.720 in all matters, but I couldn't see any reason. It 1989 01:57:17.840 --> 01:57:20.560 was so distinctly the best thing that could have happened 1990 01:57:20.600 --> 01:57:23.840 to me. If I had been Daddy and you had 1991 01:57:23.840 --> 01:57:27.079 been Judy, I should have said, bless you, my child. 1992 01:57:27.319 --> 01:57:29.720 Run along and have a good time, see lots of 1993 01:57:29.760 --> 01:57:32.439 new people, and learn lots of new things, live out 1994 01:57:32.439 --> 01:57:34.760 of doors, and get strong and well and rested for 1995 01:57:34.800 --> 01:57:38.239 a year of hard work. But not at all, just 1996 01:57:38.279 --> 01:57:41.479 a curt line from your secretary ordering me to lock Willow. 1997 01:57:42.479 --> 01:57:45.720 It's the impersonality of your commands that hurts my feelings. 1998 01:57:46.359 --> 01:57:49.560 It seems as though if you've felt the tiniest little 1999 01:57:49.560 --> 01:57:52.319 bit for me the way I feel for you, you'd 2000 01:57:52.319 --> 01:57:54.600 sometimes send me a message that you'd written with your 2001 01:57:54.600 --> 01:57:59.439 own hand instead of those beastly typewritten secretary's notes. If 2002 01:57:59.479 --> 01:58:02.239 there were the lightest hint that you cared, I'd do 2003 01:58:02.359 --> 01:58:05.800 anything on earth to please you. I know that I 2004 01:58:05.880 --> 01:58:09.119 was to write nice, long, detailed letters without ever expecting 2005 01:58:09.159 --> 01:58:12.279 any answer. You're living up to your side of the bargain. 2006 01:58:12.680 --> 01:58:15.520 I'm being educated, and I suppose you're thinking I'm not 2007 01:58:15.560 --> 01:58:19.399 living up to mine. But Daddy, it is a hard bargain. 2008 01:58:19.800 --> 01:58:24.039 It is really, I'm so awfully lonely. You are the 2009 01:58:24.119 --> 01:58:26.319 only person I have to care for, and you are 2010 01:58:26.359 --> 01:58:30.399 so shadowy. You're just an imaginary man that I've made up, 2011 01:58:30.800 --> 01:58:33.520 and probably the real you isn't a bit like my 2012 01:58:33.640 --> 01:58:37.079 imaginary you. But you did once, when I was ill 2013 01:58:37.119 --> 01:58:40.319 in the infirmary, send me a message. And now, when 2014 01:58:40.319 --> 01:58:43.119 I am feeling awfully forgotten, I get out your card 2015 01:58:43.119 --> 01:58:46.039 and read it over. I don't think I am telling 2016 01:58:46.119 --> 01:58:48.119 you at all what I started to say, which was this, 2017 01:58:49.199 --> 01:58:52.000 although my feelings are still hurt, for it is very 2018 01:58:52.079 --> 01:58:54.560 humiliating to be picked up and moved about by an 2019 01:58:54.680 --> 01:59:00.720 arbitrary peremptory, unreasonable, omnipotent invisible providence. Still, when a man 2020 01:59:00.760 --> 01:59:03.119 has been as kind and generous and thoughtful as you 2021 01:59:03.239 --> 01:59:06.439 have heretofore been towards me, I suppose he has a 2022 01:59:06.520 --> 01:59:10.319 right to be an arbitrary peremptory unreasonable invisible providence if 2023 01:59:10.319 --> 01:59:14.319 he chooses, and so I'll forgive you and be cheerful again. 2024 01:59:15.079 --> 01:59:17.760 But I still don't enjoy getting Sally's letters about the 2025 01:59:17.760 --> 01:59:21.640 good times they are having in camp. However, we will 2026 01:59:21.720 --> 01:59:25.159 draw a veil over that and begin again. I've been 2027 01:59:25.159 --> 01:59:28.520 writing and writing this summer, four short stories finished and 2028 01:59:28.600 --> 01:59:31.600 sent to four different magazines, so you see, I'm trying 2029 01:59:31.680 --> 01:59:34.239 to be an author. I have a work room fixed 2030 01:59:34.239 --> 01:59:36.760 in a corner of the attic where Master Jervy used 2031 01:59:36.800 --> 01:59:39.680 to have his rainy day playroom. It's in a cool, 2032 01:59:39.760 --> 01:59:42.760 breezy corner with two dormer windows and shaded by a 2033 01:59:42.760 --> 01:59:45.119 maple tree, with a family of red squirrels living in 2034 01:59:45.119 --> 01:59:47.840 a hole. I'll write a nicer letter in a few 2035 01:59:47.920 --> 01:59:50.840 days and tell you all the farm news we need. 2036 01:59:50.960 --> 01:59:57.880 Rain yours as ever, Judy tenth August, Mister Daddy long Legs, Sir, 2037 01:59:58.600 --> 02:00:01.159 I address you from the second crotch in the willow tree, 2038 02:00:01.159 --> 02:00:03.760 by the pool and the pasture. There was a frog 2039 02:00:03.880 --> 02:00:07.920 croaking underneath, a locust singing overhead, and two little devil 2040 02:00:07.960 --> 02:00:10.800 down heads darting up and down the trunk. I've been 2041 02:00:10.800 --> 02:00:14.560 here for an hour. It's a very comfortable crotch, especially 2042 02:00:14.600 --> 02:00:18.119 after being upholstered with two sofa cushions. I came up 2043 02:00:18.119 --> 02:00:20.520 with a pen and tablet, hoping to write an immortal 2044 02:00:20.560 --> 02:00:23.319 short story. But I've been having a dreadful time with 2045 02:00:23.359 --> 02:00:26.319 my heroine. I can't make her behave as I want 2046 02:00:26.319 --> 02:00:29.239 her to behave, So I've abandoned her for the moment, 2047 02:00:29.279 --> 02:00:32.359 and am writing to you. Not much relief, though, for 2048 02:00:32.439 --> 02:00:34.640 I can't make you behave as I want you either. 2049 02:00:35.920 --> 02:00:38.079 If you are in that dreadful New York, I wish 2050 02:00:38.119 --> 02:00:41.239 I could send you some of this lovely, breezy, sunshiny outlook. 2051 02:00:41.760 --> 02:00:45.239 The country is heaven after a week of rain. Speaking 2052 02:00:45.279 --> 02:00:48.039 of heaven, do you remember, mister Kellogg, that I told 2053 02:00:48.039 --> 02:00:51.000 you about last summer, the minister of the little white 2054 02:00:51.079 --> 02:00:54.760 church at the corners, Well, the poor old soul is 2055 02:00:54.840 --> 02:00:58.439 dead last winter of pneumonia. I went half a dozen 2056 02:00:58.479 --> 02:01:01.239 times to hear him preach, and got very well acquainted 2057 02:01:01.239 --> 02:01:04.760 with his theology. He believed to the end exactly the 2058 02:01:04.800 --> 02:01:07.800 same things he started with. It seems to me that 2059 02:01:07.880 --> 02:01:10.239 a man who can think straight along for forty seven 2060 02:01:10.319 --> 02:01:13.279 years without changing a single idea ought to be kept 2061 02:01:13.279 --> 02:01:16.159 in a cabinet as a curiosity. I hope he is 2062 02:01:16.279 --> 02:01:19.680 enjoying his harp and golden crown. He was so perfectly 2063 02:01:19.720 --> 02:01:23.439 sure of finding them. There's a new young man, very 2064 02:01:23.479 --> 02:01:28.199 consequential in his place. The congregation is pretty dubious, especially 2065 02:01:28.239 --> 02:01:31.319 the faction led by geeking Cummings. It looks as though 2066 02:01:31.359 --> 02:01:33.640 there was going to be an awful split in the church. 2067 02:01:34.560 --> 02:01:37.319 We don't care for innovations and religion in this neighborhood. 2068 02:01:38.680 --> 02:01:40.479 During our week of reign, I sat up in the 2069 02:01:40.520 --> 02:01:44.840 attic and had an orgy of reading Stevenson. Mostly he 2070 02:01:44.920 --> 02:01:47.520 himself is more entertaining than any of the characters in 2071 02:01:47.560 --> 02:01:50.439 his books. I dare say he made himself into the 2072 02:01:50.520 --> 02:01:53.560 kind of hero that would look well in print. Don't 2073 02:01:53.560 --> 02:01:55.800 you think it was perfect of him to spend all 2074 02:01:55.840 --> 02:01:58.399 the ten thousand dollars his father left for a yacht 2075 02:01:58.680 --> 02:02:01.760 and go sailing off to the South Sees. He lived 2076 02:02:01.800 --> 02:02:05.159 up to his adventurous creed. If my father had left 2077 02:02:05.199 --> 02:02:08.760 me ten thousand dollars, I'd do it too. The thought 2078 02:02:08.760 --> 02:02:12.119 of Vilema makes me wild. I want to see the tropics, 2079 02:02:12.560 --> 02:02:15.479 I want to see the whole world. I'm going to 2080 02:02:15.479 --> 02:02:18.159 be a great author. Or artist or actress or play 2081 02:02:18.239 --> 02:02:20.840 right or whatever sort of a great person I turn 2082 02:02:20.880 --> 02:02:24.520 out to be. I have a terrible wanderthirst. The very 2083 02:02:24.600 --> 02:02:26.279 sight of a map makes me want to put on 2084 02:02:26.520 --> 02:02:29.720 my hat and take an umbrella and start. I shall 2085 02:02:29.720 --> 02:02:32.319 see before I die. The Palms and Temples of the South. 2086 02:02:34.239 --> 02:02:38.439 Thursday evening at twilight, sitting on the doorstep, very hard 2087 02:02:38.439 --> 02:02:41.159 to get any news into this letter. Judy is becoming 2088 02:02:41.159 --> 02:02:44.640 so philosophical of late that she wishes to discourse largely 2089 02:02:44.680 --> 02:02:47.159 of the world in general, instead of descending to the 2090 02:02:47.159 --> 02:02:50.560 trivial details of daily life. But if you must have 2091 02:02:50.720 --> 02:02:54.359 news here, it is our nine young pigs waded across 2092 02:02:54.399 --> 02:02:57.439 the brook and ran away last Tuesday, and only eight 2093 02:02:57.520 --> 02:03:01.000 came back. We don't want to accuse any one unjustly, 2094 02:03:01.359 --> 02:03:04.159 but we suspect that widow Dowd has won more than 2095 02:03:04.159 --> 02:03:08.119 she ought to have. Mister Weaver has painted his barn 2096 02:03:08.159 --> 02:03:11.039 and his two silos and a bright pumpkin yellow, a 2097 02:03:11.279 --> 02:03:15.079 very ugly color, but he says it will wear. The 2098 02:03:15.119 --> 02:03:18.560 Brewers have company this week, missus Brewer's sister and two 2099 02:03:18.640 --> 02:03:22.479 nieces from Ohio. One of our Rhode Island reds only 2100 02:03:22.479 --> 02:03:25.760 brought off three chicks out of fifteen eggs. We can't 2101 02:03:25.760 --> 02:03:29.520 imagine what was the trouble. Rhode Island Reds, in my opinion, 2102 02:03:29.560 --> 02:03:33.399 are a very inferior breed. I prefer buff or Pringkings. 2103 02:03:34.840 --> 02:03:37.119 The new clerk in the post office at Bonnie Rig 2104 02:03:37.159 --> 02:03:40.079 four corners drank every drop of Jamaica ginger they had 2105 02:03:40.079 --> 02:03:45.640 in stock seven dollars worth before he was discovered. Old 2106 02:03:45.680 --> 02:03:48.920 Ira Hatch has rheumatism and can't work any more. He 2107 02:03:49.039 --> 02:03:51.960 never saved his money when he's earning good wages, so 2108 02:03:52.079 --> 02:03:54.840 now he has to live on the town. There's to 2109 02:03:54.880 --> 02:03:57.720 be an ice cream social at the schoolhouse next Saturday evening. 2110 02:03:58.159 --> 02:04:01.439 Come and bring your families. I have a new hat 2111 02:04:01.479 --> 02:04:03.800 that I bought twenty five cents at the post office. 2112 02:04:04.239 --> 02:04:06.560 This is my latest portrait on my way to rake 2113 02:04:06.640 --> 02:04:10.439 the hay. It's getting too dark to see anyway. The 2114 02:04:10.520 --> 02:04:16.680 news is all used up. Good night, Judy Friday, Good morning, 2115 02:04:16.880 --> 02:04:19.960 here is some news. What do you think you'd never 2116 02:04:20.119 --> 02:04:23.119 never guess? Who's coming to lock Willow? A letter to 2117 02:04:23.159 --> 02:04:26.920 missus Semple from mister Pendleton. He's motoring through the Berkshires 2118 02:04:26.960 --> 02:04:29.159 and is tired and wants to rest at a nice 2119 02:04:29.239 --> 02:04:32.399 quiet farm. If he climbs out at her doorsteps some night, 2120 02:04:32.439 --> 02:04:35.199 will she have a room ready for him. Maybe he'll 2121 02:04:35.239 --> 02:04:38.680 stay one week, or maybe two, or maybe three. He'll 2122 02:04:38.680 --> 02:04:41.800 see how RESTful it is when he gets here. Such 2123 02:04:41.840 --> 02:04:44.640 a flutter as we are in the whole house is 2124 02:04:44.680 --> 02:04:48.119 being cleaned and all the curtains washed. I'm driving to 2125 02:04:48.159 --> 02:04:50.479 the corners this morning to get some new oil cloth 2126 02:04:50.520 --> 02:04:53.079 to the entry and two cans of brown floor paint 2127 02:04:53.119 --> 02:04:56.560 for the hall and back stairs. Missus Dowd is engaged 2128 02:04:56.600 --> 02:04:59.920 to come tomorrow to wash the windows. In the exigency 2129 02:05:00.039 --> 02:05:02.399 of the moment, we wave our suspicions in regard to 2130 02:05:02.439 --> 02:05:05.720 the piglet. You might think from this account of our 2131 02:05:05.800 --> 02:05:08.960 activities that the house was not already immaculate. But I 2132 02:05:09.000 --> 02:05:13.119 assure you, however, it was. Whatever Missus Semple's limitations. She 2133 02:05:13.439 --> 02:05:17.359 is a housekeeper. But isn't it just like a man daddy, 2134 02:05:17.760 --> 02:05:20.039 He doesn't give the remotest hint as to whether he 2135 02:05:20.079 --> 02:05:22.640 will land on the doorstep to day or two weeks 2136 02:05:22.640 --> 02:05:25.880 from to day. We shall live in a perpetual breathlessness 2137 02:05:25.920 --> 02:05:28.960 until he comes. And if he doesn't hurry, the cleaning 2138 02:05:29.000 --> 02:05:32.319 may all have to be done over again. There's AMESI 2139 02:05:32.399 --> 02:05:35.800 waiting below with the buckboard and Grover. I drive alone, 2140 02:05:36.159 --> 02:05:37.920 but if you could see old Grove, you wouldn't be 2141 02:05:38.000 --> 02:05:40.800 worried as to my safety. With my hand on my 2142 02:05:40.920 --> 02:05:46.479 heart farewell, Judy, Yes, isn't that a nice ending? I 2143 02:05:46.560 --> 02:05:51.840 got it out of Stephenson's letters Saturday. Good morning again. 2144 02:05:52.359 --> 02:05:55.439 I didn't get this enveloped yesterday before the postman came, 2145 02:05:55.720 --> 02:05:58.479 so i'll ads some more. We have one mail a 2146 02:05:58.560 --> 02:06:01.560 day at twelve o'clock. Rural delivery is a blessing to 2147 02:06:01.600 --> 02:06:05.399 the farmers. Our postman not only delivers letters, but he 2148 02:06:05.479 --> 02:06:07.960 runs errands for us in town at five cents an 2149 02:06:08.039 --> 02:06:11.079 errand yesterday he brought me some shoe strings and a 2150 02:06:11.159 --> 02:06:13.960 jar of cold cream. I sun burned all the skin 2151 02:06:14.039 --> 02:06:16.760 off my nose before I got my new hat and 2152 02:06:16.840 --> 02:06:19.439 a blue windsor tie and a bottle of blacking all 2153 02:06:19.479 --> 02:06:22.880 for ten cents. That was an unusual bargain owing to 2154 02:06:22.920 --> 02:06:26.640 the largeness of my order. Also, he tells us what 2155 02:06:26.760 --> 02:06:29.880 is happening in the great world. Several people on the 2156 02:06:29.920 --> 02:06:32.479 route take daily papers and he reads them as he 2157 02:06:32.560 --> 02:06:35.079 jogs along, and repeats the news to the ones who 2158 02:06:35.119 --> 02:06:38.279 don't subscribe. So in case the war breaks out between 2159 02:06:38.319 --> 02:06:41.760 the United States and Japan, or the president is assassinated, 2160 02:06:41.880 --> 02:06:44.359 or mister Rockefeller leaves a million dollars to the John 2161 02:06:44.399 --> 02:06:47.600 Grier Home, you needn't bother to write. I'll hear it anyway. 2162 02:06:49.039 --> 02:06:51.920 No sign yet of Master Jerviy, But you should see 2163 02:06:51.920 --> 02:06:54.680 how clean our house is, and with what anxiety we 2164 02:06:54.720 --> 02:06:57.880 wipe our feet before we step in. I hope he'll 2165 02:06:57.920 --> 02:07:00.600 come soon. I am longing for someone to talk to 2166 02:07:01.560 --> 02:07:04.920 missus Semple, to tell you the truth. It's rather monotonous. 2167 02:07:05.359 --> 02:07:08.520 She never lets ideas interrupt the easy flow of her conversation. 2168 02:07:09.720 --> 02:07:12.359 It's a funny thing about the people here. Their world 2169 02:07:12.479 --> 02:07:16.119 is just this single hilltop. They are not a bit universal, 2170 02:07:16.119 --> 02:07:18.960 if you know what I mean. It's exactly the same 2171 02:07:18.960 --> 02:07:22.680 as at the John Greerhome. Our ideas there were bounded 2172 02:07:22.680 --> 02:07:25.439 by the four sides of the iron fence. Only I 2173 02:07:25.479 --> 02:07:27.680 didn't mind it so much because I was younger and 2174 02:07:27.840 --> 02:07:31.039 was so awfully busy. By the time I got all 2175 02:07:31.039 --> 02:07:34.039 my beds made and my baby's faces washed, and had 2176 02:07:34.079 --> 02:07:36.880 gone to school and come home and washed their faces again, 2177 02:07:37.319 --> 02:07:41.319 and darned their stockings and mended Freddy Perkins's trousers. He 2178 02:07:41.439 --> 02:07:44.359 tore them every day of his life and learned my 2179 02:07:44.439 --> 02:07:47.159 lessons in between. I was ready to go to bed, 2180 02:07:47.520 --> 02:07:50.840 and I didn't notice any lack of social intercourse. But 2181 02:07:50.960 --> 02:07:54.039 after two years in a conversational college, I do miss it, 2182 02:07:54.359 --> 02:07:56.359 and I shall be glad to see somebody who speaks 2183 02:07:56.399 --> 02:08:00.760 my language. I really believe I've finished, Daddy. Nothing else 2184 02:08:00.760 --> 02:08:03.239 occurs to me at the moment. I'll try to write 2185 02:08:03.239 --> 02:08:07.479 a longer letter next time. Yours always, Judy p. S. 2186 02:08:08.079 --> 02:08:10.359 The lettuce hasn't done it all well this year. It 2187 02:08:10.479 --> 02:08:16.520 was so dry early in the season. Twenty fifth August. Well, Daddy, 2188 02:08:16.760 --> 02:08:19.920 Master Jerviy's here, and such a nice time as we're having, 2189 02:08:20.680 --> 02:08:23.000 at least I am, and I think he is too. 2190 02:08:23.680 --> 02:08:26.000 He has been here ten days and doesn't show any 2191 02:08:26.000 --> 02:08:29.520 signs of going the way missus semple pampers. That man 2192 02:08:29.560 --> 02:08:32.479 is scandalous. If she indulged him as much when he 2193 02:08:32.560 --> 02:08:34.680 was a baby, I don't know how he ever turned 2194 02:08:34.680 --> 02:08:38.079 out so well. He and I eat at a little 2195 02:08:38.079 --> 02:08:41.319 table set on the side porch, or sometimes under the trees, 2196 02:08:41.960 --> 02:08:45.000 or when it rains or is cold, in the best parlor. 2197 02:08:45.720 --> 02:08:47.680 He just picks out the spot he wants to eat 2198 02:08:47.680 --> 02:08:51.399 in and carry trots after him with the table. Then 2199 02:08:51.600 --> 02:08:53.880 if it has been an awful nuisance and she has 2200 02:08:53.920 --> 02:08:56.399 had to carry the dishes very far, she finds a 2201 02:08:56.439 --> 02:09:00.319 dollar under the sugar bowl. He is an awfully companionable 2202 02:09:00.359 --> 02:09:02.479 sort of man, though you would never believe it to 2203 02:09:02.520 --> 02:09:05.800 see him casually. He looks at first glance just like 2204 02:09:05.840 --> 02:09:09.159 a true Pendleton, but he isn't in the least. He 2205 02:09:09.279 --> 02:09:11.840 is just as simple and unaffected and as sweet as 2206 02:09:11.880 --> 02:09:14.920 can be. That seems a funny way to describe a man, 2207 02:09:14.960 --> 02:09:18.920 but it's true. He's extremely nice with the farmers round here. 2208 02:09:19.520 --> 02:09:21.279 He meets them in a sort of man to man 2209 02:09:21.359 --> 02:09:25.720 fashion that disarms them immediately. They were very suspicious at first. 2210 02:09:26.159 --> 02:09:29.079 They didn't care for his clothes. I will say that 2211 02:09:29.159 --> 02:09:33.279 his clothes are rather amazing. He wears knickerbockers and pleated 2212 02:09:33.359 --> 02:09:36.560 jackets and white flannels and riding clothes with puffed trousers. 2213 02:09:37.479 --> 02:09:41.119 Whenever he comes down in anything new, missus Semple, beaming 2214 02:09:41.159 --> 02:09:43.840 with pride, walks around and views him from every angle 2215 02:09:44.159 --> 02:09:46.359 and urges him to be careful where he sits down. 2216 02:09:47.199 --> 02:09:49.239 She is so afraid he will pick up some dust. 2217 02:09:50.199 --> 02:09:53.199 It bores him dreadfully. He is always saying to her, 2218 02:09:53.560 --> 02:09:55.960 run along, Lizzie, and tend to your work. You can't 2219 02:09:55.960 --> 02:10:00.319 boss me any longer. I've grown up. It's awfully funny 2220 02:10:00.359 --> 02:10:03.279 to think of that great, big, long legged man. He's 2221 02:10:03.319 --> 02:10:06.359 nearly as long legged as you, daddy ever, sitting in 2222 02:10:06.399 --> 02:10:10.600 missus Semple's lap and having his face washed. Particularly funny 2223 02:10:10.600 --> 02:10:13.720 when you see her lap. She has two laps now 2224 02:10:13.800 --> 02:10:16.960 and three chins. But he says that once she was 2225 02:10:17.000 --> 02:10:19.800 thin and wiry, in spry, and could run faster than he. 2226 02:10:21.279 --> 02:10:24.199 Such a lot of adventures we're having. We've explored the 2227 02:10:24.199 --> 02:10:27.039 country for miles, and I've learned to fish with funny 2228 02:10:27.079 --> 02:10:30.119 little flies made of feathers, also to shoot with a 2229 02:10:30.199 --> 02:10:34.000 rifle and a revolver, also to ride horseback. There's an 2230 02:10:34.000 --> 02:10:37.439 astonishing amount of life an old grove. We fed him 2231 02:10:37.439 --> 02:10:39.520 on oats for three days, and he shineded a calf 2232 02:10:39.520 --> 02:10:44.960 and almost ran away with me. Wednesday. We climbed sky 2233 02:10:45.079 --> 02:10:49.079 Hill Monday afternoon. That's a mountain near here, not an 2234 02:10:49.079 --> 02:10:51.880 off the high Mountain. Perhaps no snow on the summit, 2235 02:10:52.279 --> 02:10:54.239 but at least you are pretty breathless when you reach 2236 02:10:54.279 --> 02:10:57.920 the top. The lower slopes are covered with woods, but 2237 02:10:58.000 --> 02:11:01.199 the top is just piled rocks and open more. We 2238 02:11:01.239 --> 02:11:03.399 stayed up for the sunset and built a fire and 2239 02:11:03.479 --> 02:11:07.319 cooked our supper. Master Jervy did the cooking. He said 2240 02:11:07.359 --> 02:11:09.760 he knew how better than me, and he did too, 2241 02:11:09.840 --> 02:11:13.600 because he's used to camping. Then we came down by moonlight, 2242 02:11:13.920 --> 02:11:16.279 and when we reached the wood trail where it was dark, 2243 02:11:16.600 --> 02:11:18.479 by the light of an electric bulb that he had 2244 02:11:18.479 --> 02:11:21.800 in his pocket. It was such fun. He laughed and 2245 02:11:21.920 --> 02:11:25.720 joked all the way and talked about interesting things. He's read, 2246 02:11:25.760 --> 02:11:28.640 all the books I've ever read, and a lot of others. Besides, 2247 02:11:29.319 --> 02:11:33.439 it's astonishing how many different things he knows. We went 2248 02:11:33.479 --> 02:11:35.600 for a long tramp this morning and got caught in 2249 02:11:35.640 --> 02:11:38.760 a storm. Our clothes were drenched before we reached home, 2250 02:11:39.079 --> 02:11:42.039 but our spirits not even damp. You should have seen 2251 02:11:42.079 --> 02:11:45.600 missus Semple's face when we'd ripped into her kitchen. Oh, 2252 02:11:45.640 --> 02:11:49.800 Master Jervie, Miss Judy, you are soaked through. Dear, dear, 2253 02:11:49.960 --> 02:11:53.479 what shall I do? That nice new coat is perfectly ruined. 2254 02:11:54.239 --> 02:11:56.720 She was awfully funny. You would have thought that we 2255 02:11:56.720 --> 02:11:59.800 were ten years old, and she had distracted mother. I 2256 02:11:59.880 --> 02:12:01.680 was afraid for a while that we weren't going to 2257 02:12:01.680 --> 02:12:06.560 get any jam for tea Saturday. I started this letter 2258 02:12:06.600 --> 02:12:09.039 ages ago, but I haven't had a second to finish it. 2259 02:12:10.039 --> 02:12:13.239 Isn't this a nice stought from Stevenson? The world is 2260 02:12:13.319 --> 02:12:15.600 so full of a number of things. I am sure 2261 02:12:15.640 --> 02:12:19.119 we should all be as happy as kings. It's true, 2262 02:12:19.159 --> 02:12:22.439 you know, the world is full of happiness and plenty 2263 02:12:22.479 --> 02:12:24.840 to go round if you are only willing to take 2264 02:12:24.880 --> 02:12:28.119 the kind that comes your way. The whole secret is 2265 02:12:28.159 --> 02:12:31.680 in being pliable. In the country, especially, there are such 2266 02:12:31.680 --> 02:12:35.560 a lot of entertaining things. I can walk over everybody's land, 2267 02:12:35.760 --> 02:12:38.840 and look at everybody's view, and dabble in everybody's brook 2268 02:12:39.119 --> 02:12:41.159 and enjoy it just as much as though I owned 2269 02:12:41.159 --> 02:12:45.479 the land, and with no taxes to pay. It's Sunday 2270 02:12:45.560 --> 02:12:48.319 night now, about eleven o'clock, and I am supposed to 2271 02:12:48.399 --> 02:12:51.119 be getting some beauty sleep. But I had black coffee 2272 02:12:51.119 --> 02:12:55.159 for dinner, so no beauty sleep for me this morning, 2273 02:12:55.319 --> 02:12:58.760 said missus Semple to mister Pendleton, with a very determined accent. 2274 02:12:59.680 --> 02:13:01.159 We have I have to leave here at a quarter 2275 02:13:01.239 --> 02:13:03.159 past ten in order to get to church. 2276 02:13:03.199 --> 02:13:03.720 By eleven. 2277 02:13:04.760 --> 02:13:08.439 Very well, Lizzie said, Master Jerviy, you have the buggy ready, 2278 02:13:08.600 --> 02:13:11.239 and if I'm not dressed, just go on without waiting. 2279 02:13:12.000 --> 02:13:15.920 We'll wait, said she, as you please, said he, only 2280 02:13:15.960 --> 02:13:20.239 don't keep the horses standing too long. Then, while she 2281 02:13:20.319 --> 02:13:22.760 was dressing, he told Carrie to pack up a lunch, 2282 02:13:23.039 --> 02:13:25.479 and he told me to scramble into my walking clothes, 2283 02:13:25.760 --> 02:13:27.840 and we slipped out the back way and went fishing. 2284 02:13:28.960 --> 02:13:32.359 It discommoded the household dreadfully because lock Willow of a 2285 02:13:32.399 --> 02:13:35.680 Sunday dines at two, but he ordered dinner at seven. 2286 02:13:36.399 --> 02:13:39.119 He orders meals whenever he chooses. You would think the 2287 02:13:39.159 --> 02:13:42.800 place where a restaurant. And that kept Carrie and Amesi 2288 02:13:42.880 --> 02:13:45.399 from going driving, But he said it was all the 2289 02:13:45.439 --> 02:13:47.680 better because it wasn't proper for them to go driving 2290 02:13:47.720 --> 02:13:51.079 without a chaperone, And anyway, he wanted the horses himself 2291 02:13:51.199 --> 02:13:54.439 take me driving. Did you ever hear anything so funny? 2292 02:13:55.840 --> 02:13:58.439 And poor missus Semple believes that people who go fishing 2293 02:13:58.439 --> 02:14:01.319 on Sundays will afterwards go to a sizzling hot hell. 2294 02:14:02.800 --> 02:14:04.840 She is awfully troubled to think that she didn't train 2295 02:14:04.920 --> 02:14:07.159 him better when he was small and helpless and she 2296 02:14:07.239 --> 02:14:10.600 had the chance. Besides, she wished to show him off 2297 02:14:10.640 --> 02:14:15.039 in church. Anyway, we had our fishing. He caught four 2298 02:14:15.119 --> 02:14:17.479 little ones and we cooked them on a camp fire 2299 02:14:17.560 --> 02:14:20.920 for lunch. They kept falling off our spiked sticks into 2300 02:14:20.920 --> 02:14:23.680 the fire, so they tasted a little ashy, but we 2301 02:14:23.920 --> 02:14:26.840 ate them. We got home at four, and went driving 2302 02:14:26.880 --> 02:14:29.680 at five, and had dinner at seven, and at ten 2303 02:14:29.840 --> 02:14:32.359 I was sent to bed. And here I am writing 2304 02:14:32.399 --> 02:14:35.920 to you. I am getting a little sleepy though good night. 2305 02:14:37.119 --> 02:14:41.279 Here is a picture of the one fish I caught ship, 2306 02:14:41.319 --> 02:14:44.840 a boy cap'n long legs, a vast be lay yo 2307 02:14:44.920 --> 02:14:48.159 ho ho, and a bottle of rum. Guess what I'm reading. 2308 02:14:48.960 --> 02:14:52.640 Our conversation these past two days has been nautical and piratical. 2309 02:14:53.319 --> 02:14:56.760 Isn't Treasure Island fun? Did you ever read it? Or 2310 02:14:56.840 --> 02:14:59.840 wasn't it written when you were a boy? Stevenson only 2311 02:14:59.880 --> 02:15:03.039 got thirty pounds for the serial rights. I don't believe 2312 02:15:03.079 --> 02:15:05.640 it pays to be a great author. Maybe I'll be 2313 02:15:05.680 --> 02:15:09.159 a school teacher. Excuse me for filling my letters so 2314 02:15:09.239 --> 02:15:12.279 full of Stephenson. My mind is very much engaged with him. 2315 02:15:12.279 --> 02:15:17.319 At present. He comprises lock Willow's Library. I've been writing 2316 02:15:17.319 --> 02:15:19.800 this letter for two weeks, and I think it's about 2317 02:15:19.840 --> 02:15:23.880 long enough. Never say, Daddy that I don't give details. 2318 02:15:24.159 --> 02:15:26.600 I wish you were here too, we'd all have such 2319 02:15:26.600 --> 02:15:29.720 a jolly time together. I like my different friends to 2320 02:15:29.760 --> 02:15:32.800 know each other. I wanted to ask mister Pendleton if 2321 02:15:32.800 --> 02:15:35.279 he knew you in New York. I should think he might. 2322 02:15:35.920 --> 02:15:38.600 You must move in about the same exalted social circles, 2323 02:15:38.880 --> 02:15:41.840 and you are both interested in reforms and things. But 2324 02:15:41.920 --> 02:15:45.199 I couldn't for I don't know your real name. It's 2325 02:15:45.239 --> 02:15:47.439 the silliest thing I ever heard of, not to know 2326 02:15:47.560 --> 02:15:50.960 your name. Missus Lippett warned me that you were eccentric. 2327 02:15:51.279 --> 02:15:57.039 I should think so affectionately. Judy p. S. On reading 2328 02:15:57.039 --> 02:16:00.319 this over, I find that it isn't all Stephenson. There 2329 02:16:00.359 --> 02:16:06.079 are one or two glancing references to Master Jervy tenth September. 2330 02:16:06.680 --> 02:16:10.520 Dear Daddy, he has gone and we are missing him. 2331 02:16:10.800 --> 02:16:13.439 When you get accustomed to people, or places or ways 2332 02:16:13.439 --> 02:16:16.680 of living and then have them snatched away, it does 2333 02:16:16.800 --> 02:16:20.680 leave an awfully empty, gnawing sort of sensation. I'm finding 2334 02:16:20.680 --> 02:16:25.600 Missus Semple's conversation pretty unseasoned. Food College opens in two 2335 02:16:25.640 --> 02:16:27.920 weeks and I shall be glad to begin work again. 2336 02:16:28.720 --> 02:16:31.359 I have worked quite a lot this summer, though. Six 2337 02:16:31.439 --> 02:16:34.559 short stories and seven poems. Those I sent to the 2338 02:16:34.600 --> 02:16:38.040 magazines all came back with the most courteous promptitude. But 2339 02:16:38.159 --> 02:16:42.719 I don't mind. It's good practice. Master Jervy read them. 2340 02:16:42.959 --> 02:16:45.159 He brought in the post, so I couldn't help his knowing, 2341 02:16:45.559 --> 02:16:48.120 and he said they were dreadful. They showed that I 2342 02:16:48.159 --> 02:16:50.559 didn't have the slightest idea of what I was talking about. 2343 02:16:51.440 --> 02:16:55.040 Master Jervy doesn't let politeness interfere with truth. But the 2344 02:16:55.120 --> 02:16:58.120 last one I did, just a little sketch late in college. 2345 02:16:58.600 --> 02:17:01.479 He said wasn't bad, and he had it typewritten, and 2346 02:17:01.559 --> 02:17:04.639 I sent it to a magazine. They've had it two weeks. 2347 02:17:04.959 --> 02:17:08.000 Maybe they're thinking it over. You should see the sky. 2348 02:17:08.600 --> 02:17:12.200 There's the queerest orange colored light over everything. We're going 2349 02:17:12.239 --> 02:17:15.840 to have a storm. It commenced just that moment, with 2350 02:17:15.879 --> 02:17:19.600 tremendously big drops and all the shutters banging. I had 2351 02:17:19.600 --> 02:17:21.840 to run to close the windows while carry flew to 2352 02:17:21.879 --> 02:17:23.959 the attic with an armful of milk pans to put 2353 02:17:24.040 --> 02:17:27.159 under the places where the roof leaks. And then just 2354 02:17:27.200 --> 02:17:29.920 as I was resuming my pen, I remembered that I'd 2355 02:17:29.959 --> 02:17:32.719 left a cushion and drug and hat and Matthew Arnold's 2356 02:17:32.719 --> 02:17:35.239 poems under a tree in the orchard, so I dashed 2357 02:17:35.239 --> 02:17:38.399 out to get them, all quite soaked. The red cover 2358 02:17:38.479 --> 02:17:41.159 of the poems had run into the inside. The dover 2359 02:17:41.239 --> 02:17:44.319 beach in the future will be washed by pink waves. 2360 02:17:44.920 --> 02:17:47.559 A storm is awfully disturbing in the country. You are 2361 02:17:47.600 --> 02:17:49.680 always having to think of so many things that are 2362 02:17:49.719 --> 02:17:54.639 out of doors and getting spoiled. Thursday, Daddy, Daddy, what 2363 02:17:54.680 --> 02:17:59.879 do you think? The postman has just come with two letters? First, Mice, 2364 02:18:00.000 --> 02:18:04.479 the story is accepted fifty dollars a lore. I am 2365 02:18:04.520 --> 02:18:09.280 an author. Second a letter from the college secretary. I'm 2366 02:18:09.319 --> 02:18:11.639 to have a scholarship for two years that will cover 2367 02:18:11.719 --> 02:18:15.920 board and tuition. It was founded for marked proficiency in 2368 02:18:16.000 --> 02:18:19.879 English with general excellency in other lines, and I've won it. 2369 02:18:20.559 --> 02:18:23.000 I applied for it before I left, but I didn't 2370 02:18:23.000 --> 02:18:25.200 have an idea i'd get it on account of my 2371 02:18:25.280 --> 02:18:28.280 freshman bad work in maths and Latin. But it seems 2372 02:18:28.319 --> 02:18:31.600 I've made it up. I am awfully glad, Daddy, because 2373 02:18:31.639 --> 02:18:33.760 now I won't be such a burden to you. The 2374 02:18:33.840 --> 02:18:36.680 monthly allowance will be all all need, and maybe I 2375 02:18:36.719 --> 02:18:39.920 can earn that with writing or tutoring or something. I'm 2376 02:18:40.040 --> 02:18:44.360 longing to go back and begin work yours ever, jerushe Abbott, 2377 02:18:44.840 --> 02:18:47.760 author of When the Sophomores Won the Game for sale 2378 02:18:47.799 --> 02:18:53.399 at All Newstands price ten cents. End of Part six, 2379 02:18:54.360 --> 02:19:00.959 Part seven, twenty sixth September. Dear Daddy Longlegs, back at 2380 02:19:01.000 --> 02:19:04.440 college again and an upper classman. Our study is better 2381 02:19:04.479 --> 02:19:07.559 than ever this year faces the South with two huge 2382 02:19:07.600 --> 02:19:12.920 windows and oh so furnished. Julia with an unlimited allowance, 2383 02:19:13.200 --> 02:19:15.840 arrived two days early and was attacked with a fever 2384 02:19:15.959 --> 02:19:19.920 for settling. We have new wall paper and oriental rugs 2385 02:19:20.040 --> 02:19:24.399 and mahogany chairs, not painted mahogany, which made us sufficiently 2386 02:19:24.440 --> 02:19:28.520 happy last year, but real. It's very gorgeous, but I 2387 02:19:28.559 --> 02:19:31.360 don't feel as though I belonged in it. I'm nervous 2388 02:19:31.399 --> 02:19:33.399 all the time for fear I'll get an inkspot in 2389 02:19:33.440 --> 02:19:37.520 the wrong place. And Daddy, I found your letter waiting 2390 02:19:37.559 --> 02:19:42.239 for me. Pardon, I mean your secretaries. Will you kindly 2391 02:19:42.319 --> 02:19:45.159 convey to me a comprehensible reason why I should not 2392 02:19:45.239 --> 02:19:49.319 accept that scholarship? I don't understand your objection in the least, 2393 02:19:50.200 --> 02:19:52.520 But anyway, it won't do the slightest good for you 2394 02:19:52.600 --> 02:19:55.479 to object, for I've already accepted it, and I am 2395 02:19:55.520 --> 02:19:59.280 not going to change. That sounds a little impertinent, but 2396 02:19:59.360 --> 02:20:02.600 I don't mean it. So I suppose you feel that 2397 02:20:02.639 --> 02:20:04.799 when you set out to educate me, you'd like to 2398 02:20:04.799 --> 02:20:07.280 finish the work and put a neat period in the 2399 02:20:07.319 --> 02:20:10.280 shape of a diploma at the end. But look at 2400 02:20:10.280 --> 02:20:12.520 it just a second. From my point of view, I 2401 02:20:12.559 --> 02:20:14.920 shall owe my education to you just as much as 2402 02:20:14.959 --> 02:20:16.559 though I let you pay for the whole of it, 2403 02:20:16.959 --> 02:20:19.760 but I won't be quite so much indebted. I know 2404 02:20:19.840 --> 02:20:21.959 that you don't want me to return the money, but 2405 02:20:22.000 --> 02:20:24.319 nevertheless I'm going to want to do it if I 2406 02:20:24.399 --> 02:20:28.159 possibly can, and winning this scholarship makes it so much easier. 2407 02:20:29.040 --> 02:20:31.159 I was expecting to spend the rest of my life 2408 02:20:31.239 --> 02:20:33.520 in paying my debts, but now I shall only have 2409 02:20:33.600 --> 02:20:36.520 to spend one half of the rest of it. I 2410 02:20:36.559 --> 02:20:40.000 hope you'll understand my position and won't be cross the allowance. 2411 02:20:40.000 --> 02:20:43.639 I shall still most gratefully accept. It requires an allowance 2412 02:20:43.639 --> 02:20:46.799 to live up to Julia and her furniture. I wish 2413 02:20:46.879 --> 02:20:49.440 that she had been reared to simpler tastes, or else 2414 02:20:49.479 --> 02:20:52.680 that she were not my roommate. This isn't much of 2415 02:20:52.680 --> 02:20:55.319 a letter. I meant to have written a lot, but 2416 02:20:55.399 --> 02:20:58.600 I've been hemming four window curtains in three poortiers. I'm 2417 02:20:58.600 --> 02:21:00.760 glad you can't see the link of the bitches, and 2418 02:21:00.879 --> 02:21:04.479 polishing a brass desk set with tooth powder, very uphill work, 2419 02:21:04.959 --> 02:21:08.360 and sawing off picture wire with manicure scissors, and unpacking 2420 02:21:08.399 --> 02:21:11.920 four boxes of books and putting away two trunkfuls of clothes. 2421 02:21:12.239 --> 02:21:15.600 It doesn't seem believable that Jerusha Abbot owns two trunks 2422 02:21:15.639 --> 02:21:19.239 full of clothes, but she does. And welcoming back fifty 2423 02:21:19.280 --> 02:21:23.159 dear friends in between. The opening day is a joyous occasion. 2424 02:21:24.079 --> 02:21:26.680 Good night, daddy, dear, and don't be annoyed because your 2425 02:21:26.760 --> 02:21:29.719 chick is wanting to scratch for herself. She's growing up 2426 02:21:29.719 --> 02:21:33.159 into an awfully energetic little hand with the little determined 2427 02:21:33.200 --> 02:21:36.200 cluck and lots of beautiful feathers, all due to you. 2428 02:21:36.879 --> 02:21:43.120 Affectionately Judy thirtieth September, Dear daddy, are you still harping 2429 02:21:43.120 --> 02:21:46.319 on that scholarship? I never knew a man so obstinate 2430 02:21:46.319 --> 02:21:49.479 and stubborn and unreasonable and tenacious and bull doggish and 2431 02:21:49.639 --> 02:21:53.399 unable to see other people's points of view as you. 2432 02:21:53.399 --> 02:21:57.719 You prefer that I should not be accepting favorites from strangers. Strangers, 2433 02:21:58.159 --> 02:22:00.799 and what are you pray? Is there any one in 2434 02:22:00.840 --> 02:22:04.000 the world that I know less? I shouldn't recognize you 2435 02:22:04.040 --> 02:22:07.120 if I met you in the street. Now, you see, 2436 02:22:07.280 --> 02:22:10.120 if you had been a sane, sensible person and had 2437 02:22:10.120 --> 02:22:13.559 written nice, cheering, fatherly letters to your little judy, and 2438 02:22:13.600 --> 02:22:16.559 had come occasionally impatted her on the head and said 2439 02:22:16.600 --> 02:22:19.399 you were glad she was such a good girl, then 2440 02:22:19.520 --> 02:22:22.079 perhaps she wouldn't have flouted you in your old age, 2441 02:22:22.600 --> 02:22:24.920 but would have a bade your slightest wish, like the 2442 02:22:24.959 --> 02:22:28.840 dutiful daughter she was meant to be. Strangers. Indeed, you 2443 02:22:28.959 --> 02:22:32.559 live in a glass house, mister Smith. And besides, this 2444 02:22:32.719 --> 02:22:36.000 isn't a favor, It's like a prize. I earned it 2445 02:22:36.040 --> 02:22:39.239 by hard work. If nobody had been good enough in English, 2446 02:22:39.319 --> 02:22:43.719 the committee wouldn't have awarded the scholarship. Some years they don't. Also, 2447 02:22:44.719 --> 02:22:47.200 but what's the use of arguing with the man you 2448 02:22:47.319 --> 02:22:50.120 belong mister Smith? To a sex devoid of a sense 2449 02:22:50.120 --> 02:22:52.879 of logic. To bring a man into line, there are 2450 02:22:52.959 --> 02:22:56.479 just two methods. One must either coax or be disagreeable. 2451 02:22:57.120 --> 02:23:00.559 I scorned coax men for what I wish, Therefore I 2452 02:23:00.639 --> 02:23:05.040 must be disagreeable. I refuse, sir, to give up the scholarship, 2453 02:23:05.479 --> 02:23:07.600 and if you make any more fuss, I won't accept 2454 02:23:07.639 --> 02:23:10.280 the monthly allowance either, but will wear myself into a 2455 02:23:10.319 --> 02:23:15.959 nervous wreck tutoring stupid freshman. That is my ultimatum. And listen, 2456 02:23:16.079 --> 02:23:18.760 I have a further thought. Since you are so afraid 2457 02:23:18.760 --> 02:23:21.559 that by taking this scholarship, I am depriving someone else 2458 02:23:21.600 --> 02:23:24.079 of an education, I know a way out. You can 2459 02:23:24.120 --> 02:23:26.040 apply the money that you would have spent for me 2460 02:23:26.399 --> 02:23:29.600 toward educating some other little girl from the John Greer home. 2461 02:23:30.200 --> 02:23:34.120 Don't you think that's a nice idea? Only Daddy, educate 2462 02:23:34.239 --> 02:23:36.520 the new girl as much as you choose, but please 2463 02:23:36.559 --> 02:23:40.040 don't like her any better than me. I trust that 2464 02:23:40.079 --> 02:23:42.479 your secretary won't be hurt because I pay so little 2465 02:23:42.479 --> 02:23:45.520 attention to the suggestions he offered in his letter. But 2466 02:23:45.559 --> 02:23:48.239 I can't help it if he is. He's a spoiled 2467 02:23:48.360 --> 02:23:51.959 child's daddy. I've meekly given in to his whims heretofore, 2468 02:23:52.239 --> 02:23:56.040 But this time I intend to be firm yours, with 2469 02:23:56.159 --> 02:23:59.879 a mind completely and irrevocably, and world without end made 2470 02:23:59.920 --> 02:24:06.559 up up. Jerusha Abbot, ninth November. Dear Daddy long Legs. 2471 02:24:07.239 --> 02:24:09.719 I started downtown today to buy a bottle of shoe 2472 02:24:09.719 --> 02:24:12.760 blacking and some collars into the material for a new blouse, 2473 02:24:12.959 --> 02:24:14.799 and a jar of violet cream and a cake of 2474 02:24:14.879 --> 02:24:18.879 castile soap, all very necessary. I couldn't be happy another 2475 02:24:18.959 --> 02:24:21.520 day without them. And when I tried to pay the 2476 02:24:21.559 --> 02:24:23.799 car fare, I found that I had left my purse 2477 02:24:23.840 --> 02:24:26.360 in the pocket of my other coat. So I had 2478 02:24:26.360 --> 02:24:28.239 to get out and take the next car, and was 2479 02:24:28.319 --> 02:24:31.319 late for Gymnasium. It's a dreadful thing to have no 2480 02:24:31.440 --> 02:24:35.680 memory in two coats. Julia Pendleton has invited me to 2481 02:24:35.760 --> 02:24:38.920 visit her for the Christmas holidays. How does that strike you, 2482 02:24:39.000 --> 02:24:43.440 mister Smith? Fancy Jerusha Abbot of the John Greerholme sitting 2483 02:24:43.440 --> 02:24:46.159 at the tables of the rich. I don't know why 2484 02:24:46.239 --> 02:24:49.440 Julia wants me. She seems to be getting quite attached 2485 02:24:49.479 --> 02:24:52.280 to me. Of late, I should tell the truth very 2486 02:24:52.360 --> 02:24:55.639 much prefer going to Sallie's. But Julia asked me first, 2487 02:24:56.040 --> 02:24:57.760 so if I go anywhere, it must be to New 2488 02:24:57.840 --> 02:25:00.840 York instead of to Worcester. I'm rather odd at the 2489 02:25:00.879 --> 02:25:04.239 prospect of meeting Pendleton's end mass, and also I have 2490 02:25:04.319 --> 02:25:06.840 to get a lot of new clothes. So Daddy dear, 2491 02:25:07.159 --> 02:25:09.200 if you write that you would prefer having me remain 2492 02:25:09.319 --> 02:25:11.760 quietly at college, I will bow to your wishes with 2493 02:25:11.840 --> 02:25:15.959 my usual sweet facility. I'm engaged at odd moments with 2494 02:25:16.000 --> 02:25:19.239 the Life and Letters of Thomas Huxley. It makes nice 2495 02:25:19.360 --> 02:25:22.479 light reading to pick up between times. Do you know 2496 02:25:22.520 --> 02:25:26.959 what an archaeopteryx is? It's a bird and to Stereognothus. 2497 02:25:27.399 --> 02:25:30.399 I'm not sure myself, but I think it's a missing link, 2498 02:25:30.879 --> 02:25:33.879 like a bird with teeth or a lizard with wings. No, 2499 02:25:34.000 --> 02:25:36.639 it isn't either. I've just looked in the book. It's 2500 02:25:36.680 --> 02:25:42.399 a mesozoic mammal. I've elected economics this year, very illuminating subject. 2501 02:25:42.840 --> 02:25:46.239 When I finish that, I'm going to take charity and reform. Then, 2502 02:25:46.360 --> 02:25:49.200 mister Trustee, I'll know just how an orphan asylum ought 2503 02:25:49.200 --> 02:25:52.040 to be run. Don't you think I'd make an admirable 2504 02:25:52.120 --> 02:25:54.959 rot if I had my rights. I was twenty one 2505 02:25:55.079 --> 02:25:58.280 last week this is an awfully wasteful country to throw 2506 02:25:58.319 --> 02:26:02.079 away such an honest, educated, conscientious, intelligent citizen, as I 2507 02:26:02.120 --> 02:26:09.559 would be yours always. Judy, seventh December, Dear Daddy Longlegs, 2508 02:26:09.959 --> 02:26:13.000 thank you from your permission to visit Julia. I take 2509 02:26:13.040 --> 02:26:16.680 it that silence means consent. Such a social whirl as 2510 02:26:16.680 --> 02:26:20.520 we've been having, the Founder's Dance came last week. This 2511 02:26:20.680 --> 02:26:22.639 was the first year that any of us could attend, 2512 02:26:23.000 --> 02:26:27.239 only upperclassmen being allowed. I invited Jimmy mc bride, and 2513 02:26:27.360 --> 02:26:30.600 Sally invited his roommate at Princeton, who visited them last 2514 02:26:30.600 --> 02:26:33.840 summer at their camp, an awfully nice man with red hair. 2515 02:26:34.399 --> 02:26:37.760 And Julia invited a man from New York, not very exciting, 2516 02:26:37.799 --> 02:26:41.280 but socially irreproachable. He is connected with the de la 2517 02:26:41.360 --> 02:26:45.760 materire Chichesters. Perhaps that means something to you. It doesn't 2518 02:26:45.760 --> 02:26:50.319 illuminate me to any extent. However, our guests came Friday 2519 02:26:50.360 --> 02:26:52.760 afternoon in time for tea in the Senior Corridor, and 2520 02:26:52.879 --> 02:26:56.159 then dashed down to the hotel for dinner. The hotel 2521 02:26:56.280 --> 02:26:58.040 was so full that they slept in rows on the 2522 02:26:58.040 --> 02:27:01.319 billiard's tables. They say Jimmy mc bride says that the 2523 02:27:01.319 --> 02:27:03.280 next time he has bidden to a social event in 2524 02:27:03.319 --> 02:27:05.200 this college, he is going to bring one of their 2525 02:27:05.200 --> 02:27:09.319 Adirondack tents and pitch it on the campus. At seven thirty, 2526 02:27:09.360 --> 02:27:12.479 they came back for the President's reception and dance. Our 2527 02:27:12.520 --> 02:27:16.239 functions commence early. We had the men's cards all made 2528 02:27:16.239 --> 02:27:18.760 out ahead of time, and after every dance we'd leave 2529 02:27:18.760 --> 02:27:21.040 them in groups under the letter that stood for their name, 2530 02:27:21.360 --> 02:27:23.840 so that they could be readily found by their next partners. 2531 02:27:24.559 --> 02:27:27.319 Jimmy mc bride, for example, would stand patiently under m 2532 02:27:27.399 --> 02:27:30.239 until he was claimed. At least he ought to have 2533 02:27:30.280 --> 02:27:33.200 stood patiently, but he kept wandering off and getting mixed 2534 02:27:33.200 --> 02:27:35.600 with the r's and s's and all sorts of letters. 2535 02:27:36.040 --> 02:27:39.200 I found him a very difficult guest. He was sulky 2536 02:27:39.239 --> 02:27:42.000 because he had only three dances with me. He said 2537 02:27:42.040 --> 02:27:44.280 he was bashful about dancing with girls he didn't know. 2538 02:27:45.760 --> 02:27:48.600 The next morning we had a glee club concert. And 2539 02:27:48.680 --> 02:27:50.920 who do you think wrote the funny new song composed 2540 02:27:50.920 --> 02:27:54.520 for the occasion. It's the truth she did. Oh, I 2541 02:27:54.600 --> 02:27:57.200 tell you, daddy, your little foundling is getting to be 2542 02:27:57.319 --> 02:28:01.280 quite a prominent person. Anyway. Our gay two days were 2543 02:28:01.319 --> 02:28:04.600 great fun, and I think the men enjoyed it. Some 2544 02:28:04.639 --> 02:28:07.000 of them were awfully perturbed at first at the prospect 2545 02:28:07.040 --> 02:28:10.959 of facing one thousand girls, but they got acclimated very quickly. 2546 02:28:11.719 --> 02:28:14.799 Our two Princeton men had a beautiful time, at least 2547 02:28:14.840 --> 02:28:17.399 they politely said they had. And they've invited us to 2548 02:28:17.440 --> 02:28:21.719 their dance next spring. We've accepted, so please don't object, Daddy, Dear, 2549 02:28:22.879 --> 02:28:25.879 Julia and Salie and I all had new dresses. Do 2550 02:28:25.920 --> 02:28:29.120 you want to hear about them? Julia's was cream satin 2551 02:28:29.200 --> 02:28:32.520 and gold embroidery, and she wore purple orchids. It was 2552 02:28:32.559 --> 02:28:35.879 a dream and came from Paris and cost a million dollars. 2553 02:28:36.840 --> 02:28:40.000 Sallie's was pale blue, trimmed with Persian embroidery and went 2554 02:28:40.079 --> 02:28:43.319 beautifully with red hair. It didn't cost quite a million, 2555 02:28:43.360 --> 02:28:47.079 but was just as effective as Julia's. Mine was pale 2556 02:28:47.120 --> 02:28:50.479 pink crape machine trimmed with ecru lace and rose satin, 2557 02:28:51.000 --> 02:28:54.639 and I carried crimson roses with Jimmie McBride's scent, Salie 2558 02:28:54.680 --> 02:28:57.159 having told him what color to get, and we all 2559 02:28:57.200 --> 02:29:00.559 had satin silk lippers and silk stockings and shiffon scarfs 2560 02:29:00.559 --> 02:29:04.760 to match. You must be deeply impressed by these millinery details. 2561 02:29:05.959 --> 02:29:08.680 One can't help thinking, Daddy, what a colorless life a 2562 02:29:08.719 --> 02:29:11.719 man is forced to lead when one reflects that chiffon 2563 02:29:11.799 --> 02:29:15.399 and Venetian point and hand embroidery and Irish crochet are 2564 02:29:15.440 --> 02:29:19.200 to him mere empty words. Whereas a woman, whether she 2565 02:29:19.319 --> 02:29:22.479 is interested in babies or microbes, or husbands, or poetry 2566 02:29:22.559 --> 02:29:25.840 or servants or parallelograms or gardens or plato or bridge, 2567 02:29:26.559 --> 02:29:30.959 it's fundamentally and always interested in clothes. It's the one 2568 02:29:31.000 --> 02:29:33.959 touch of nature that makes the whole world. Kin that 2569 02:29:34.120 --> 02:29:38.239 isn't original. I got it out of one of Shakespeare's plays. However, 2570 02:29:38.319 --> 02:29:40.959 to resume, do you want me to tell you a 2571 02:29:41.000 --> 02:29:44.239 secret that I've lately discovered, and will you promise not 2572 02:29:44.360 --> 02:29:50.239 to think me vain? Then listen? I'm pretty I am really, 2573 02:29:50.879 --> 02:29:52.840 I'd be an awful idiot not to know it. With 2574 02:29:52.959 --> 02:29:57.000 three looking glasses in the room, a friend p s. 2575 02:29:57.600 --> 02:30:00.000 This is one of those wicked anonymous letters you read 2576 02:30:00.120 --> 02:30:06.959 about in novels. Twentieth December, Dear Daddy longlegs, I've just 2577 02:30:07.000 --> 02:30:09.600 a moment because I must attend two classes, pack a 2578 02:30:09.600 --> 02:30:12.200 trunk and a suit case and catch the four o'clock train, 2579 02:30:12.920 --> 02:30:14.959 but I couldn't go without sending a word to let 2580 02:30:14.959 --> 02:30:18.079 you know how much I appreciate my Christmas box. I 2581 02:30:18.159 --> 02:30:21.079 love the furs and the necklace and the Liberty scarf, 2582 02:30:21.120 --> 02:30:24.079 and the gloves and handkerchiefs and books and purse, and 2583 02:30:24.200 --> 02:30:27.319 most of all, I love you. But Daddy, you have 2584 02:30:27.440 --> 02:30:30.280 no business to spoil me this way. I'm only human, 2585 02:30:30.559 --> 02:30:33.159 and a girl at that. How can I keep my 2586 02:30:33.239 --> 02:30:36.520 mind sternly fixed on a studious career when you deflect 2587 02:30:36.559 --> 02:30:40.680 me with such worldly frivilties. I have strong suspicions now 2588 02:30:40.719 --> 02:30:42.959 as to which one of the John Greer trustees used 2589 02:30:42.959 --> 02:30:45.079 to give the Christmas tree in the Sunday ice Cream. 2590 02:30:45.719 --> 02:30:48.799 He was nameless, but by his works I know him. 2591 02:30:49.120 --> 02:30:51.159 You deserve to be happy for all the good things 2592 02:30:51.200 --> 02:30:55.399 you do. Good Bye and to very merry Christmas, Yours always, 2593 02:30:55.559 --> 02:30:59.120 Judy P. S. I am sending a slight token two. 2594 02:31:00.000 --> 02:31:01.479 I think you would like her if you knew her. 2595 02:31:03.440 --> 02:31:07.239 Eleventh January, I meant to write to you from the city, Daddy, 2596 02:31:07.360 --> 02:31:10.559 but New York is an engrossing place. I had an 2597 02:31:10.600 --> 02:31:14.120 interesting and illuminating time, but I'm glad I don't belong 2598 02:31:14.200 --> 02:31:16.959 to such a family, I should truly rather have the 2599 02:31:17.040 --> 02:31:20.479 John Greerholme for a background. Whatever the drawbacks of my 2600 02:31:20.600 --> 02:31:23.360 bringing up, there was at least no pretense about it. 2601 02:31:24.239 --> 02:31:26.159 I know now what people mean when they say they 2602 02:31:26.159 --> 02:31:30.040 are weighed down by things. The material atmosphere of that 2603 02:31:30.120 --> 02:31:33.360 house was crushing. I didn't draw a deep breath until 2604 02:31:33.360 --> 02:31:36.319 I was on an express train coming back. All the 2605 02:31:36.360 --> 02:31:40.239 furniture was carved and upholstered and gorgeous. The people I 2606 02:31:40.280 --> 02:31:43.079 met were beautifully dressed and low voiced and well bred. 2607 02:31:43.520 --> 02:31:46.319 But it's the truth, Daddy. I never heard one word 2608 02:31:46.360 --> 02:31:49.079 of real talk from the time we arrived until we left. 2609 02:31:49.719 --> 02:31:52.280 I don't think an idea ever entered the front door. 2610 02:31:53.520 --> 02:31:57.000 Missus Pendleton never thinks of anything but jewels and dressmakers 2611 02:31:57.040 --> 02:32:00.680 and social engagements. She did seem a different mother from 2612 02:32:00.680 --> 02:32:04.319 Missus mc bride. If I ever marry and have a family, 2613 02:32:04.600 --> 02:32:07.079 I'm going to make them as exactly like the McBride's 2614 02:32:07.079 --> 02:32:07.600 as I can. 2615 02:32:08.399 --> 02:32:08.479 Not. 2616 02:32:08.639 --> 02:32:10.639 For all the money in the world would I ever 2617 02:32:10.760 --> 02:32:15.040 let any children of mine develop into Pendleton's. Maybe it 2618 02:32:15.120 --> 02:32:18.239 isn't polite to criticize people you've been visiting. If it 2619 02:32:18.280 --> 02:32:22.120 isn't please excuse this is very confidential between you and me. 2620 02:32:23.440 --> 02:32:25.879 I only saw Master Jervy once when he called at 2621 02:32:25.879 --> 02:32:28.479 tea time, and then I didn't really have a chance 2622 02:32:28.479 --> 02:32:31.719 to speak to him alone. It was really disappointing after 2623 02:32:31.760 --> 02:32:34.680 our nice time last summer. I don't think he cares 2624 02:32:34.760 --> 02:32:37.280 much for his relatives, and I am sure they don't 2625 02:32:37.280 --> 02:32:41.479 care much for him. Julia's mother says he's unbalanced. He's 2626 02:32:41.520 --> 02:32:44.920 a socialist, except, thank Heavens, he doesn't let his hair 2627 02:32:44.959 --> 02:32:48.319 grow and wear red ties. She can't imagine where he 2628 02:32:48.360 --> 02:32:51.520 picked up his queer ideas. The family have been Church 2629 02:32:51.559 --> 02:32:54.920 of England for generations. He throws away his money on 2630 02:32:55.000 --> 02:32:57.799 every sort of crazy reform instead of spending it on 2631 02:32:57.879 --> 02:33:01.239 such sensible things as yachts and autumnalis and polo ponies. 2632 02:33:02.000 --> 02:33:04.600 He does buy candy with it, though, he sent Julia 2633 02:33:04.639 --> 02:33:08.280 and me each a box for Christmas. You know, I 2634 02:33:08.319 --> 02:33:12.000 think I'll be a socialist too. You wouldn't mind, would you, daddy. 2635 02:33:12.559 --> 02:33:15.680 They're quite different from anarchists. They don't believe in blowing 2636 02:33:15.680 --> 02:33:19.319 people up. Probably I am one by rights, I belong 2637 02:33:19.360 --> 02:33:22.920 to the proletariat. I haven't determined yet just which kind 2638 02:33:22.920 --> 02:33:25.079 I am going to be. I will look into the 2639 02:33:25.120 --> 02:33:27.840 subject over Sunday and declare my principles in my next 2640 02:33:29.120 --> 02:33:32.079 I've seen loads of theater and hotels and beautiful houses. 2641 02:33:32.719 --> 02:33:35.600 My mind is a confused jungle of onyx and gilding 2642 02:33:35.639 --> 02:33:39.239 and mosaic floors and palms. I'm still pretty breathless, but 2643 02:33:39.319 --> 02:33:41.520 I am glad to get back to college. In my books, 2644 02:33:42.399 --> 02:33:45.760 I believe that I really am a student. This atmosphere 2645 02:33:45.799 --> 02:33:48.600 of academic calm I find more bracing than New York. 2646 02:33:49.479 --> 02:33:52.680 College is a very satisfying sort of life. The books 2647 02:33:52.680 --> 02:33:55.840 and study and regular classes keep you alive mentally, and 2648 02:33:55.959 --> 02:33:58.479 then when your mind gets tired, you have the gymnasium 2649 02:33:58.479 --> 02:34:02.040 in outdoor athletics, and always plenty of congenial friends who 2650 02:34:02.040 --> 02:34:05.440 are thinking about the same things you are. We spend 2651 02:34:05.479 --> 02:34:08.520 a whole evening in nothing but talk talk, talk, talk, 2652 02:34:08.959 --> 02:34:11.920 and go to bed with very uplifted feeling as though 2653 02:34:11.920 --> 02:34:15.879 we had settled permanently some pressing world problems and filling 2654 02:34:15.879 --> 02:34:18.719 in every crevice. There is always such a lot of nonsense, 2655 02:34:19.360 --> 02:34:21.760 just silly jokes about the little things that come up, 2656 02:34:21.920 --> 02:34:27.159 but very satisfying. We do appreciate our own witticisms. It 2657 02:34:27.239 --> 02:34:30.000 isn't the great, big pleasures that count the most, it's 2658 02:34:30.040 --> 02:34:32.760 making a great deal out of the little ones. I've 2659 02:34:32.799 --> 02:34:35.559 discovered the true secret of happiness, Daddy, and that is 2660 02:34:35.600 --> 02:34:38.680 to live in the now, not to be forever regretting 2661 02:34:38.680 --> 02:34:41.799 the past or anticipating the future, but to get the 2662 02:34:41.799 --> 02:34:45.479 most you can out of this very instant. It's like farming. 2663 02:34:46.040 --> 02:34:50.000 You could have extensive farming and intensive farming. Well, I'm 2664 02:34:50.040 --> 02:34:53.440 going to have intensive living after this. I'm going to 2665 02:34:53.559 --> 02:34:56.319 enjoy every second, and I'm going to know I'm enjoying 2666 02:34:56.399 --> 02:35:00.040 it while I'm enjoying it. Most people don't live. We 2667 02:35:00.159 --> 02:35:03.319 just race. They are trying to reach some goal far 2668 02:35:03.360 --> 02:35:05.760 away on the horizon, and in the heat of the 2669 02:35:05.799 --> 02:35:08.600 going they get so breathless and panting that they lose 2670 02:35:08.639 --> 02:35:12.079 all sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through. 2671 02:35:13.000 --> 02:35:15.360 And then the first thing they know they are old 2672 02:35:15.360 --> 02:35:18.200 and worn out, and it doesn't make any difference whether 2673 02:35:18.239 --> 02:35:21.479 they've reached the goal or not. I've decided to sit 2674 02:35:21.559 --> 02:35:23.639 down by the way and pile up a lot of 2675 02:35:23.680 --> 02:35:27.040 little happinesses, even if I never become a great author. 2676 02:35:28.079 --> 02:35:30.440 Did you ever know such a philosopherus as I am 2677 02:35:30.440 --> 02:35:36.239 developing into yours ever, Judy p s. It's raining cats 2678 02:35:36.239 --> 02:35:38.840 and dogs tonight. Two puppies and a kitten have just 2679 02:35:38.920 --> 02:35:44.879 landed on the windowsill. Dear Comrade, hooray, I am a fabian. 2680 02:35:45.760 --> 02:35:48.719 That's a socialist who's willing to wait. We don't want 2681 02:35:48.719 --> 02:35:51.600 the social revolution to come tomorrow morning. It would be 2682 02:35:51.639 --> 02:35:55.000 too upsetting. We wanted to come very gradually in the 2683 02:35:55.040 --> 02:35:57.920 distant future, when we shall all be prepared and able 2684 02:35:57.959 --> 02:36:01.200 to sustain the shock. In the meantime, we must be 2685 02:36:01.200 --> 02:36:06.040 getting ready by instituting industrial, educational and orphan asylum reforms. 2686 02:36:06.680 --> 02:36:13.600 Yours with fraternal love, Judy, Monday, third hour, eleventh February, 2687 02:36:14.239 --> 02:36:17.600 Dear d l L. Don't be insulted because this is 2688 02:36:17.639 --> 02:36:20.719 so short. It isn't a letter. It's just a line 2689 02:36:20.760 --> 02:36:22.680 to say that I'm going to write a letter pretty 2690 02:36:22.719 --> 02:36:26.200 soon when examinations are over. It is not only necessary 2691 02:36:26.200 --> 02:36:29.680 that I pass, but pass well. I have a scholarship 2692 02:36:29.680 --> 02:36:35.559 to live up to yours, studying hard Ja fifth March, 2693 02:36:36.200 --> 02:36:39.639 Dear Daddy long Legs. President Cueler made a speech this 2694 02:36:39.719 --> 02:36:43.719 evening about the modern generation being flippant and superficial. He 2695 02:36:43.840 --> 02:36:46.280 says that we are losing the old ideals of earnest 2696 02:36:46.360 --> 02:36:50.200 endeavor and true scholarship, and particularly is this falling off 2697 02:36:50.239 --> 02:36:54.479 noticeable in our disrespectful attitude toward organized authority. We no 2698 02:36:54.559 --> 02:36:58.239 longer pay a seemly deference to our superiors. I came 2699 02:36:58.280 --> 02:37:02.280 away from chapel very sober. Am I too familiar? Daddy? 2700 02:37:02.840 --> 02:37:06.239 Ought I to treat you with more dignity and aloofness? Yes, 2701 02:37:06.559 --> 02:37:11.120 I'm sure I ought. I'll begin again, My dear mister Smith. 2702 02:37:11.680 --> 02:37:14.360 You will be pleased to hear that I passed successfully 2703 02:37:14.440 --> 02:37:17.399 my mid year examinations and am now commencing work in 2704 02:37:17.479 --> 02:37:21.479 the new semester. I am leaving chemistry, having completed the 2705 02:37:21.520 --> 02:37:25.000 course in qualitative analysis, and am entering upon the study 2706 02:37:25.000 --> 02:37:29.000 of biology. I approach this subject with some hesitation, as 2707 02:37:29.040 --> 02:37:33.639 I understand that we dissect angleworms and frogs. An extremely 2708 02:37:33.680 --> 02:37:36.520 interesting and valuable lecture was given in the chapel last 2709 02:37:36.520 --> 02:37:39.959 week upon Roman remains in southern France. I have never 2710 02:37:40.000 --> 02:37:44.479 listened to a more illuminating exposition of the subject. We 2711 02:37:44.559 --> 02:37:48.200 are reading Wordsworth's tinturn Albe in connection with our course 2712 02:37:48.239 --> 02:37:51.879 in English literature. Whatdenness quisite work? It is, and how 2713 02:37:51.920 --> 02:37:56.719 adequately it embodies his conceptions of pantheism. The Romantic movement 2714 02:37:56.760 --> 02:37:59.360 of the early part of the last century, exemplified in 2715 02:37:59.399 --> 02:38:02.159 the works of so much poets as Shelley, Byron, Heats 2716 02:38:02.159 --> 02:38:05.079 and Wordsworth, appeals to me very much more than the 2717 02:38:05.079 --> 02:38:09.120 classical period that preceded it. Speaking of poetry, have you 2718 02:38:09.159 --> 02:38:12.360 ever read that charming little thing of Tennyson's called Locksley Hall. 2719 02:38:13.680 --> 02:38:17.120 I am attending Gymnasium very regularly. Of late. A procter 2720 02:38:17.239 --> 02:38:20.120 system has been devised, and failure to comply with the 2721 02:38:20.200 --> 02:38:24.559 rules causes a great deal of inconvenience. The gymnasium is 2722 02:38:24.559 --> 02:38:27.639 equipped with a very beautiful swimming tank of cement and marble, 2723 02:38:27.959 --> 02:38:31.719 the gift of a former graduate. My room mate, Miss McBride, 2724 02:38:32.040 --> 02:38:34.719 has given me her bathing suit. It shranks so that 2725 02:38:34.760 --> 02:38:37.079 she can no longer wear it, and I am about 2726 02:38:37.120 --> 02:38:40.600 to begin swimming lessons. We had delicious pink ice cream 2727 02:38:40.639 --> 02:38:43.600 for dessert last night. Only vegetable dyes are used in 2728 02:38:43.639 --> 02:38:47.079 coloring the food. The college is very much opposed, both 2729 02:38:47.079 --> 02:38:50.719 from esthetic and hygienic motives, to the use of anoline dyes. 2730 02:38:51.879 --> 02:38:54.920 The weather of late has been ideal bright sunshine and 2731 02:38:55.000 --> 02:38:58.920 clouds interspersed with a few welcome snowstorms. I and my 2732 02:38:59.040 --> 02:39:03.120 companions have enjoyed our walks to and from classes, particularly 2733 02:39:03.159 --> 02:39:07.319 from trusting my dear mister Smith, this, this will find 2734 02:39:07.360 --> 02:39:11.159 you in your usual good health. I remained most cordially yours, 2735 02:39:11.399 --> 02:39:17.760 Jerusha Abbot, twenty fourth April. Dear Daddy, spring has come again. 2736 02:39:18.520 --> 02:39:21.639 You should see how lovely the campus is. I think 2737 02:39:21.680 --> 02:39:24.520 you might come and look at it for yourself. Master 2738 02:39:24.639 --> 02:39:27.440 Jervy dropped in again last Friday, but he chose a 2739 02:39:27.479 --> 02:39:30.719 most unpropitious time for Sally and Julia and I were 2740 02:39:30.799 --> 02:39:33.360 just running to catch a train. And where do you think? 2741 02:39:33.399 --> 02:39:36.200 We were going to Princeton to attend a dance in 2742 02:39:36.239 --> 02:39:39.040 a ballgame, if you please. I didn't ask you if 2743 02:39:39.079 --> 02:39:41.360 I might go because I had a feeling that your 2744 02:39:41.399 --> 02:39:45.200 secretary would say no. But it was entirely regular. We 2745 02:39:45.280 --> 02:39:47.840 had a leave of absence from college and Missus mc 2746 02:39:47.840 --> 02:39:51.280 bride chaperoned us. We had a charming time, but I 2747 02:39:51.479 --> 02:39:56.760 shall have to admit details they are too many and complicated. Saturday, 2748 02:39:57.280 --> 02:40:00.840 up before dawn, the night watchman called us six of 2749 02:40:00.920 --> 02:40:03.799 us and we made coffee and a chafing dish. You 2750 02:40:03.879 --> 02:40:07.120 never saw so many grounds and walked two miles to 2751 02:40:07.200 --> 02:40:09.520 the top of one tree hill to see the sunrise. 2752 02:40:10.120 --> 02:40:12.559 We had to scramble up the last slope. The sun 2753 02:40:12.600 --> 02:40:15.760 almost beat us. And perhaps you think we didn't bring 2754 02:40:15.840 --> 02:40:19.719 back appetites to breakfast. Dear me, Daddy, I seem to 2755 02:40:19.719 --> 02:40:22.840 have a very ejaculatory style to day. This page is 2756 02:40:22.879 --> 02:40:26.840 peppered with exclamations. I meant to have written a lot 2757 02:40:26.879 --> 02:40:29.159 about the budding trees and the new cinder path in 2758 02:40:29.200 --> 02:40:32.040 the athletic field, and the awful lesson we have in 2759 02:40:32.079 --> 02:40:35.120 biology for tomorrow, and the new canoes on the lake, 2760 02:40:35.360 --> 02:40:39.000 and Catherine Prentice who has pneumonia, and Prexy's Angora kitten 2761 02:40:39.000 --> 02:40:41.319 that strayed from home and has been boarding in Ferguson 2762 02:40:41.399 --> 02:40:44.159 Hall for two weeks until a chambermaid reported it. And 2763 02:40:44.280 --> 02:40:47.399 about my three new dresses, white and pink and blue 2764 02:40:47.440 --> 02:40:50.319 polka dots with a hat to match. But I am 2765 02:40:50.360 --> 02:40:53.479 too sleepy. I'm always making this as an excuse, am 2766 02:40:53.479 --> 02:40:56.319 I not? But a girl's college is a busy place 2767 02:40:56.639 --> 02:40:58.639 and we do get tired by the end of the day, 2768 02:40:59.239 --> 02:41:05.799 particularly when the day begins at dawn. Affectionately, Judy fifteenth 2769 02:41:05.840 --> 02:41:09.959 may dear Daddy longlegs. Is it good manners when you 2770 02:41:10.000 --> 02:41:12.360 get into a car just to stare straight ahead and 2771 02:41:12.440 --> 02:41:16.040 not see anybody else. A very beautiful lady in a 2772 02:41:16.200 --> 02:41:19.280 very beautiful velvet dress got into the car today and 2773 02:41:19.360 --> 02:41:22.799 without the slightest expression, sat for fifteen minutes and looked 2774 02:41:22.799 --> 02:41:26.600 at a sign of advertising suspenders. It doesn't seem polite 2775 02:41:26.639 --> 02:41:28.799 to ignore everybody else as though you were the only 2776 02:41:28.840 --> 02:41:33.360 important person present. Anyway, you miss a lot. While she 2777 02:41:33.479 --> 02:41:36.520 was absorbing that silly sign, I was studying a whole 2778 02:41:36.559 --> 02:41:40.959 car full of interesting human beings. The accompanying illustration is 2779 02:41:41.000 --> 02:41:44.559 hereby reproduced for the first time. It looks like a 2780 02:41:44.600 --> 02:41:46.840 spider on the end of a string, but it isn't 2781 02:41:46.879 --> 02:41:49.639 at all. It's picture of me learning to swim in 2782 02:41:49.639 --> 02:41:53.120 the tank in the gymnasium. The instructor hooks a rope 2783 02:41:53.120 --> 02:41:55.040 into a ring in the back of my belt and 2784 02:41:55.159 --> 02:41:57.959 runs it through a pulley in the ceiling. It would 2785 02:41:57.959 --> 02:42:00.600 be a beautiful system if one had perfect confidence in 2786 02:42:00.639 --> 02:42:04.239 the probity of one's instructor. I'm always afraid, though, that 2787 02:42:04.280 --> 02:42:06.639 she will let the rope get slack, so I keep 2788 02:42:06.680 --> 02:42:09.000 one anxious eye on her and swim with the other. 2789 02:42:09.600 --> 02:42:11.799 And with this divided interest, I do not make the 2790 02:42:11.840 --> 02:42:16.040 progress that I otherwise might. Very miscellaneous weather we've been 2791 02:42:16.079 --> 02:42:19.159 having of late. It was raining when I commenced, and 2792 02:42:19.200 --> 02:42:21.959 now the sun is shining. Sally and I are going 2793 02:42:22.000 --> 02:42:26.879 out to play tennis, thereby gaining exemption from Jim a 2794 02:42:26.920 --> 02:42:30.200 week later. I should have finished this letter long ago, 2795 02:42:30.239 --> 02:42:33.159 but I didn't. You don't mind, do you, Daddy, if 2796 02:42:33.200 --> 02:42:36.319 I'm not very regular. I really do love to write 2797 02:42:36.360 --> 02:42:39.000 to you. It gives me such a respectable feeling of 2798 02:42:39.040 --> 02:42:42.239 having some family. Would you like me to tell you something? 2799 02:42:42.920 --> 02:42:45.159 You are not the only man to whom I write letters. 2800 02:42:45.719 --> 02:42:49.479 There are two others. I have been receiving beautiful long 2801 02:42:49.559 --> 02:42:53.399 letters this winter from Master Jerviy, with typewritten envelopes, so 2802 02:42:53.520 --> 02:42:57.000 Julia won't recognize the writing. Did you ever hear anything 2803 02:42:57.040 --> 02:43:00.760 so shocking? And every week or so a very SCROLLI epistle, 2804 02:43:01.200 --> 02:43:05.159 usually on yellow tablet paper, arrives from Princeton, all of 2805 02:43:05.200 --> 02:43:08.479 which I answer with business like promptness. So you see 2806 02:43:08.799 --> 02:43:11.239 I am not so very different from other girls. I 2807 02:43:11.319 --> 02:43:14.360 get letters too. Did I tell you that I have 2808 02:43:14.440 --> 02:43:17.680 been elected a member of the Senior Dramatic Club, very 2809 02:43:17.719 --> 02:43:22.120 research organization, only seventy five members out of one thousand. 2810 02:43:23.120 --> 02:43:25.440 Do you think, as a consistent socialist that I ought 2811 02:43:25.440 --> 02:43:28.760 to be long? What do you suppose is at present 2812 02:43:28.799 --> 02:43:33.200 engaging my attention in sociology? I am writing figuerre vu, 2813 02:43:33.760 --> 02:43:37.639 a paper on the care of dependent children. The professor 2814 02:43:37.680 --> 02:43:40.600 shuffled up his subjects and dealt them out promiscuously, and 2815 02:43:40.680 --> 02:43:45.319 that fell to me Sedrosa and Nepa. There goes the 2816 02:43:45.360 --> 02:43:47.680 gong for dinner. I'll post this as I passed the 2817 02:43:47.680 --> 02:43:55.600 box affectionately. Jay fourth June, dear Daddy, very busy time. 2818 02:43:55.920 --> 02:44:01.040 Commencement in ten days, examinations tomorrow, lots of studying, lots 2819 02:44:01.040 --> 02:44:04.000 of packing, and the outdoor world so lovely that it 2820 02:44:04.120 --> 02:44:08.120 hurts you to stay inside. But never mind, vacation's coming. 2821 02:44:08.879 --> 02:44:11.680 Julia is going abroad this summer, and it makes the 2822 02:44:11.719 --> 02:44:15.120 fourth time, no doubt about it, Daddy, goods are not 2823 02:44:15.280 --> 02:44:20.319 distributed evenly. Sallie, as usual, goes to the Adirondacks. And 2824 02:44:20.399 --> 02:44:22.760 what do you think I'm going to do? You may 2825 02:44:22.799 --> 02:44:29.200 have three guesses. Lock Willow wrong, the Adirondacks with Sallie wrong, 2826 02:44:29.879 --> 02:44:33.000 I'll never attempt that again. I was discouraged last year. 2827 02:44:33.840 --> 02:44:37.920 Can't you guess anything else? You're not very inventive. I'll 2828 02:44:37.920 --> 02:44:40.120 tell you, daddy, if you'll promise not to make a 2829 02:44:40.120 --> 02:44:43.639 lot of objections. I warn your secretary in advance that 2830 02:44:43.719 --> 02:44:47.239 my mind is made up. I am going to spend 2831 02:44:47.280 --> 02:44:50.360 this summer at the sea side with a missus Charles Patterson, 2832 02:44:50.600 --> 02:44:53.120 and tutor her daughter, who is to enter college in 2833 02:44:53.120 --> 02:44:55.959 the autumn. I met her through the McBride's and she 2834 02:44:56.079 --> 02:44:59.000 is a very charming woman. I am to give lessons 2835 02:44:59.040 --> 02:45:01.680 in English and Latin to the younger daughter too, but 2836 02:45:01.760 --> 02:45:03.879 I shall have a little time to myself, and I 2837 02:45:03.879 --> 02:45:07.719 shall be earning fifty dollars a month. Doesn't that impress 2838 02:45:07.760 --> 02:45:11.920 you as a perfectly exorbitant amount? She offered it. I 2839 02:45:11.959 --> 02:45:14.159 should have blushed to ask for more than twenty five. 2840 02:45:15.520 --> 02:45:18.840 I finish at Magnolia, that's where she lives, the first 2841 02:45:18.879 --> 02:45:22.040 of September, and she'll probably spend the remaining three weeks 2842 02:45:22.079 --> 02:45:24.680 at Lock Willow. I should like to see the semples 2843 02:45:24.680 --> 02:45:27.959 again and all the friendly animals. How does my program 2844 02:45:28.040 --> 02:45:31.319 strike you, daddy? I am getting quite independent, you see. 2845 02:45:32.079 --> 02:45:34.000 You have put me on my feet and I think 2846 02:45:34.040 --> 02:45:37.879 I can almost walk alone by now. Princeton commencement in 2847 02:45:38.000 --> 02:45:42.799 our examinations exactly coincide, which is an awful blow. Sally 2848 02:45:42.879 --> 02:45:44.680 and I did so want to get away in time 2849 02:45:44.719 --> 02:45:49.600 for it, but of course that is utterly impossible. Good Bye, Daddy, 2850 02:45:50.040 --> 02:45:52.079 Have a nice summer and come back in the autumn, 2851 02:45:52.079 --> 02:45:54.959 rested and ready for another year of work. That's what 2852 02:45:55.120 --> 02:45:57.879 you ought to be writing to me. I haven't any 2853 02:45:57.920 --> 02:45:59.799 idea what you do in the summer or how you 2854 02:45:59.799 --> 02:46:04.360 amuse yourself. I can't visualize your surroundings. Do you play 2855 02:46:04.440 --> 02:46:07.040 golf or hunt, or ride horseback or just sit in 2856 02:46:07.079 --> 02:46:10.840 the sun and meditate. Anyway, whatever it is, have a 2857 02:46:10.840 --> 02:46:16.840 good time, and don't forget Judy. Tenth June. Dear Daddy, 2858 02:46:17.680 --> 02:46:20.440 this is the hardest letter I ever wrote, but I 2859 02:46:20.479 --> 02:46:23.239 have decided what I must do and there isn't going 2860 02:46:23.280 --> 02:46:26.760 to be any turning back. It is very sweet and 2861 02:46:26.840 --> 02:46:28.920 generous and dear of you to wish to send me 2862 02:46:28.959 --> 02:46:32.399 to Europe this summer. For the moment I was intoxicated 2863 02:46:32.399 --> 02:46:36.639 by the idea, but sober second thoughts said no, it 2864 02:46:36.680 --> 02:46:39.200 would be rather illogical of me to refuse to take 2865 02:46:39.200 --> 02:46:42.159 your money for college and then use it instead just 2866 02:46:42.239 --> 02:46:46.000 for amusement. You mustn't get used to too many luxuries. 2867 02:46:46.559 --> 02:46:49.479 One doesn't miss what one has never had. But it's 2868 02:46:49.520 --> 02:46:52.799 awfully hard going without things after one is commenced thinking 2869 02:46:52.799 --> 02:46:57.360 they are his hers. English language needs another pronoun by 2870 02:46:57.440 --> 02:47:01.000 natural right. Living with Sally and Julia is an awful 2871 02:47:01.000 --> 02:47:04.559 strain on my stoical philosophy. They have both had things 2872 02:47:04.559 --> 02:47:07.680 from the time they were babies. They accept happiness as 2873 02:47:07.680 --> 02:47:10.760 a matter of course. The world, they think, owes them 2874 02:47:10.799 --> 02:47:14.920 everything they want. Maybe the world does. In any case, 2875 02:47:14.920 --> 02:47:17.879 it seems to acknowledge the debt and pay up. But 2876 02:47:17.959 --> 02:47:21.079 as for me, it owes me nothing, and distinctly told 2877 02:47:21.079 --> 02:47:23.920 me so in the beginning. I have no right to 2878 02:47:23.920 --> 02:47:26.239 borrow on credit, for there will come a time when 2879 02:47:26.280 --> 02:47:29.719 the world will repudiate my claim. I seem to be 2880 02:47:29.840 --> 02:47:32.360 floundering in a sea of metaphor, but I hope you 2881 02:47:32.440 --> 02:47:36.559 grasp my meaning anyway. I have a very strong feeling 2882 02:47:36.600 --> 02:47:39.000 that the only honest thing for me to do is 2883 02:47:39.079 --> 02:47:43.680 to teach this summer and begin to support myself Magnolia. 2884 02:47:43.719 --> 02:47:47.159 Four days later, I'd got just that much written. When 2885 02:47:47.440 --> 02:47:50.159 what do you think happened? The maid arrived with Master 2886 02:47:50.239 --> 02:47:53.760 Jervy's card. He is going abroad too this summer, not 2887 02:47:53.879 --> 02:47:57.239 with Julia and her family, but entirely by himself. I 2888 02:47:57.360 --> 02:47:59.040 told him that you had invited me to go with 2889 02:47:59.079 --> 02:48:02.280 the lady who is shopping a party of girls. He 2890 02:48:02.360 --> 02:48:05.159 knows about you, Daddy. That is, he knows that my 2891 02:48:05.239 --> 02:48:07.840 father and mother are dead, and that a kind gentleman 2892 02:48:07.920 --> 02:48:10.479 is sending me to college. I simply didn't have the 2893 02:48:10.520 --> 02:48:12.719 courage to tell him about the John Greerholm and all 2894 02:48:12.760 --> 02:48:15.840 the rest. He thinks that you are my guardian and 2895 02:48:15.920 --> 02:48:19.520 a perfectly legitimate old family friend. I have never told 2896 02:48:19.559 --> 02:48:23.360 him that I didn't know you. That would seem too queer. Anyway, 2897 02:48:23.600 --> 02:48:26.360 He insisted on my going to Europe. He said that 2898 02:48:26.440 --> 02:48:28.760 it was a necessary part of my education and that 2899 02:48:28.840 --> 02:48:31.920 I mustn't think of refusing. Also that he would be 2900 02:48:31.920 --> 02:48:34.040 in Paris at the same time, and that we would 2901 02:48:34.079 --> 02:48:36.920 run away from the chaperone occasionally and have dinner together 2902 02:48:36.959 --> 02:48:41.360 at nice, funny foreign restaurants. Well, Daddy, it did appeal 2903 02:48:41.399 --> 02:48:46.120 to me. I almost weakened. If he hadn't been so dictatorial, 2904 02:48:46.319 --> 02:48:49.879 maybe I should have entirely weakened. I can be enticed 2905 02:48:49.959 --> 02:48:54.000 step by step, but I won't be forced. He said 2906 02:48:54.040 --> 02:48:58.000 I was a silly, foolish, irrational, quixotic, idiotic, stubborn child. 2907 02:48:58.719 --> 02:49:01.000 Those are a few of his abuse of adjectives. The 2908 02:49:01.079 --> 02:49:03.799 rest escaped me, and that I didn't know what was 2909 02:49:03.840 --> 02:49:06.639 good for me. I ought to let older people judge. 2910 02:49:07.280 --> 02:49:10.200 We almost quarreled. I am not sure but that we 2911 02:49:10.399 --> 02:49:14.360 entirely did. In any case, I packed my trunk fast 2912 02:49:14.360 --> 02:49:17.000 and came up here. I thought I'd better see my 2913 02:49:17.000 --> 02:49:19.840 bridges and flames behind me before I finished writing to you. 2914 02:49:20.760 --> 02:49:24.600 They are entirely reduced to ashes now here. I am 2915 02:49:24.639 --> 02:49:27.760 at cliff top, the name of Missus Patterson's cottage, with 2916 02:49:27.879 --> 02:49:31.840 my trunk unpacked, and Florence the little one already struggling 2917 02:49:31.879 --> 02:49:34.879 with first to clension nouns, and it bids fair to 2918 02:49:34.920 --> 02:49:38.559 be a struggle. She is a most uncommonly spoilt child. 2919 02:49:39.360 --> 02:49:41.959 I shall have to teach her first how to study. 2920 02:49:42.040 --> 02:49:44.680 She has never in her life concentrated on anything more 2921 02:49:44.680 --> 02:49:48.760 difficult than ice cream, soda water. We use a quiet 2922 02:49:48.760 --> 02:49:52.040 corner of the cliffs for a schoolroom. Missus Patterson wishes 2923 02:49:52.079 --> 02:49:54.399 me to keep them out of doors, and I will 2924 02:49:54.399 --> 02:49:56.639 say that I find it difficult to concentrate with the 2925 02:49:56.639 --> 02:50:00.200 blue sea before me, and ships a sailing by, and 2926 02:50:00.280 --> 02:50:02.719 when I think I might be on one sailing off 2927 02:50:02.719 --> 02:50:05.840 to foreign lands. But I won't let myself think of 2928 02:50:05.879 --> 02:50:11.159 anything but Latin grammar, the prepositions a or ab absqui, 2929 02:50:11.360 --> 02:50:15.920 korum whom da e or x pray pro sine tenus 2930 02:50:16.600 --> 02:50:21.680 in soubter soub and super govern the ablative. So you see, Daddy, 2931 02:50:21.799 --> 02:50:25.120 I am already plunged into work with my eyes persistently 2932 02:50:25.159 --> 02:50:29.200 set against temptation. Don't be cross with me, please, And 2933 02:50:29.280 --> 02:50:31.639 don't think that I do not appreciate your kindness, for 2934 02:50:31.760 --> 02:50:35.879 I do, always, always. The only way I can ever 2935 02:50:35.959 --> 02:50:38.959 repay you is by turning out a very useful citizen. 2936 02:50:39.639 --> 02:50:43.520 Are women citizens, I don't suppose they are anyway a 2937 02:50:43.680 --> 02:50:46.280 very useful person, And when you look at me, you 2938 02:50:46.319 --> 02:50:50.000 can say I gave that very useful person to the world. 2939 02:50:51.079 --> 02:50:54.040 That sounds well, doesn't it, Daddy? But I don't wish 2940 02:50:54.040 --> 02:50:56.959 to mislead you. The feeling often comes over me that 2941 02:50:57.000 --> 02:50:59.879 I am not at all remarkable. It is fun to planet, 2942 02:51:00.680 --> 02:51:02.920 but in all probability I shan't turn out a bit 2943 02:51:02.959 --> 02:51:06.239 different from any other ordinary person. I may end by 2944 02:51:06.239 --> 02:51:09.079 marrying an undertaker and being an inspiration to him in 2945 02:51:09.159 --> 02:51:16.920 his work. Yours ever, Judy, nineteenth August, Dear Daddy long Legs. 2946 02:51:17.520 --> 02:51:21.159 My window looks out on the loveliest landscape, ocean'scape, rather 2947 02:51:21.840 --> 02:51:26.399 nothing but water and rocks. The summer goes. I spend 2948 02:51:26.399 --> 02:51:28.920 the morning with Latin and English and algebra, and my 2949 02:51:28.959 --> 02:51:32.280 two stupid girls. I don't know how Marian is ever 2950 02:51:32.399 --> 02:51:34.719 going to get into college, or stay in if she 2951 02:51:34.760 --> 02:51:39.040 does get there. As for Florence, she is hopeless. But oh, 2952 02:51:39.200 --> 02:51:42.280 such a little beauty. I don't suppose it matters in 2953 02:51:42.280 --> 02:51:44.520 the least whether they are stupid or not, as long 2954 02:51:44.559 --> 02:51:47.680 as they are pretty. One can't help thinking, though, how 2955 02:51:47.719 --> 02:51:51.200 their conversation will bore their husbands. Unless they are fortunate 2956 02:51:51.319 --> 02:51:55.040 enough to obtain stupid husbands. I suppose that's quite possible. 2957 02:51:55.520 --> 02:51:58.399 The world seems filled with stupid men. I've met a 2958 02:51:58.479 --> 02:52:02.280 number this summer. In the afternoon, we take a walk 2959 02:52:02.319 --> 02:52:04.680 on the cliffs, or swim if the tide is right. 2960 02:52:05.319 --> 02:52:07.639 I can swim in salt water with the utmost ease. 2961 02:52:08.120 --> 02:52:10.959 You see, my education is already being put to use. 2962 02:52:12.399 --> 02:52:15.639 A letter comes from mister Jervis Pendleton in Paris, rather 2963 02:52:15.719 --> 02:52:19.200 a short concise letter. I'm not quite forgiven yet for 2964 02:52:19.280 --> 02:52:22.920 refusing to follow his advice. However, if he gets back 2965 02:52:22.959 --> 02:52:24.920 in time, you will see me for a few days 2966 02:52:24.920 --> 02:52:27.959 at Lockwillow before college opens. And if I am very 2967 02:52:28.040 --> 02:52:30.920 nice and sweet and docile, I shall I am led 2968 02:52:30.959 --> 02:52:35.200 to infer be received into favor again. Also a letter 2969 02:52:35.239 --> 02:52:37.920 from Sallie. She wants me to come to their camp 2970 02:52:37.959 --> 02:52:41.239 for two weeks in September. Must I ask your permission? 2971 02:52:41.360 --> 02:52:43.280 Or haven't I yet arrived at the place where I 2972 02:52:43.319 --> 02:52:46.200 can do as I please? Yes, I am sure I have. 2973 02:52:46.719 --> 02:52:49.840 I'm a senior, you know, having worked all summer. I 2974 02:52:49.879 --> 02:52:53.079 feel like taking a little healthful recreation. I want to 2975 02:52:53.120 --> 02:52:56.479 see the Adirondacks. I want to see Sallie. I want 2976 02:52:56.479 --> 02:52:59.440 to see Sallie's brother. He's going to teach me to canoe. 2977 02:52:59.760 --> 02:53:02.879 And we come to my chief motive, which is mean 2978 02:53:03.600 --> 02:53:06.079 I want Master Jervey to arrive at lock Willow and 2979 02:53:06.159 --> 02:53:09.799 find me not there. I must show him that he 2980 02:53:09.879 --> 02:53:12.760 can't dictate to me. No one can dictate to me 2981 02:53:12.879 --> 02:53:16.559 but you, Daddy, and you can't always. I'm off to 2982 02:53:16.600 --> 02:53:23.159 the woods Judy Camp McBride, sixth September. Dear Daddy, your 2983 02:53:23.239 --> 02:53:26.399 letter didn't come in time. I am pleased to say, 2984 02:53:26.479 --> 02:53:28.920 if you wish your instructions to be obeyed, you must 2985 02:53:28.920 --> 02:53:31.520 have your secretary transmit them in less than two weeks. 2986 02:53:32.200 --> 02:53:34.799 As you observe. I am here and have been for 2987 02:53:34.959 --> 02:53:38.680 five days. The woods are fine, and so is the camp, 2988 02:53:38.719 --> 02:53:41.239 and so is the weather, and so are the McBride's, 2989 02:53:41.440 --> 02:53:45.799 and so is the whole world. I'm very happy there's 2990 02:53:45.879 --> 02:53:49.559 Jimmy calling for me to come canoeing. Good bye. Sorry 2991 02:53:49.600 --> 02:53:52.440 to have disobeyed, but why are you so persistent about 2992 02:53:52.479 --> 02:53:54.879 not wanting me to play a little when I've worked 2993 02:53:54.879 --> 02:53:58.040 all the summer. I deserve two weeks. You are awfully 2994 02:53:58.079 --> 02:54:01.639 dog in the mangerish. However, I love you still, Daddy, 2995 02:54:01.680 --> 02:54:07.000 in spite of all your faults. Judy end of Part seven. 2996 02:54:07.559 --> 02:54:12.879 Part eight, third October, Dear Daddy, long legs back at 2997 02:54:12.920 --> 02:54:16.360 college and a senior also editor of the monthly. Doesn't 2998 02:54:16.360 --> 02:54:19.719 seem possible, does it? That so sophisticated a person just 2999 02:54:19.840 --> 02:54:22.600 four years ago was an inmate of the John Greer Home. 3000 02:54:23.159 --> 02:54:26.440 We do arrive fast in America? What do you think 3001 02:54:26.479 --> 02:54:29.319 of this? A note from Master Jervey directed to lock 3002 02:54:29.399 --> 02:54:32.520 Willow and forwarded here. He's sorry, but he finds that 3003 02:54:32.559 --> 02:54:34.799 he can't get up there this autumn. He's accepted an 3004 02:54:34.840 --> 02:54:37.719 invitation to go yachting with some friends. Hopes I've had 3005 02:54:37.760 --> 02:54:40.639 a nice summer and I'm enjoying the country. And he 3006 02:54:40.719 --> 02:54:42.840 knew all the time that I was with the McBride's 3007 02:54:42.840 --> 02:54:45.440 for Julia told him, so, you men ought to leave 3008 02:54:45.520 --> 02:54:49.399 intrigued to women, you haven't a light enough touch. Julia 3009 02:54:49.440 --> 02:54:51.840 has a trunk full of the most ravishing new clothes, 3010 02:54:51.920 --> 02:54:54.559 an evening gown of rainbow liberty crape that would be 3011 02:54:54.600 --> 02:54:58.040 fitting Raymond for the Angels in Paradise. And I thought 3012 02:54:58.079 --> 02:55:01.120 that my own clothes this year were unprecedent. Is there 3013 02:55:01.159 --> 02:55:04.680 such a word beautiful? I copied Missus Patterson's wardrobe with 3014 02:55:04.719 --> 02:55:07.440 the aid of a cheap dressmaker, and though the gowns 3015 02:55:07.440 --> 02:55:09.760 didn't turn out quite the twins of the originals, I 3016 02:55:09.840 --> 02:55:14.280 was entirely happy until Julia unpacked. But now I live 3017 02:55:14.399 --> 02:55:17.520 to see Paris. Dear Daddy, aren't you glad you're not 3018 02:55:17.600 --> 02:55:19.639 a girl? I suppose you think that the fuss we 3019 02:55:19.680 --> 02:55:23.120 make over clothes is too absolutely silly. It is no 3020 02:55:23.200 --> 02:55:26.600 doubt about it, but it's entirely your fault. Did you 3021 02:55:26.639 --> 02:55:30.639 ever hear about the learned hair professor who regarded unnecessary 3022 02:55:30.639 --> 02:55:34.479 adornment with contempt and favored sensible, utilitarian clothes for women. 3023 02:55:35.040 --> 02:55:38.280 His wife, who was an obliging creature, adopted dress reform. 3024 02:55:38.600 --> 02:55:40.719 And what do you think he did? He eloped with 3025 02:55:40.760 --> 02:55:45.120 a chorus girl yours ever? Judy p s The chambermaid 3026 02:55:45.239 --> 02:55:48.120 nar Corridor wears blue checked Gingham aprons. I'm going to 3027 02:55:48.159 --> 02:55:50.360 get her some brown ones instead and sink the blue 3028 02:55:50.360 --> 02:55:52.440 ones in the bottom of the lake. I have a 3029 02:55:52.479 --> 02:55:56.600 reminiscent chill every time I look at them. Seventeenth November, 3030 02:55:56.799 --> 02:55:59.959 Dear Daddy long Legs, Such a blight has fallen over 3031 02:56:00.120 --> 02:56:02.399 my literary career. I don't know whether to tell you 3032 02:56:02.479 --> 02:56:05.360 or not, but I would like some sympathy, silent sympathy. 3033 02:56:05.360 --> 02:56:07.959 Please don't reopen the wound by referring to it in 3034 02:56:08.000 --> 02:56:11.399 your next letter. I've been writing a book all last 3035 02:56:11.440 --> 02:56:13.559 winter in the evenings and all the summer when I 3036 02:56:13.600 --> 02:56:16.680 wasn't teaching Latin to my two stupid children. I just 3037 02:56:16.719 --> 02:56:19.200 finished it before college opened and sent it to a publisher. 3038 02:56:19.600 --> 02:56:21.239 He kept it two months, and I was certain he 3039 02:56:21.319 --> 02:56:24.000 was going to take it. But yesterday morning an express 3040 02:56:24.040 --> 02:56:28.040 parcel came thirty cents due, and there it was back again, 3041 02:56:28.239 --> 02:56:31.799 with a letter from the publisher, A very nice, fatherly letter, 3042 02:56:31.959 --> 02:56:34.360 but frank. He said he saw from the address that 3043 02:56:34.399 --> 02:56:36.600 I was still at college, and if I would accept 3044 02:56:36.600 --> 02:56:38.680 some advice, he would suggest that I put all of 3045 02:56:38.719 --> 02:56:41.120 my energy into my lessons and wait until I graduated 3046 02:56:41.120 --> 02:56:44.559 before beginning to write. He enclosed his reader's opinion here 3047 02:56:44.600 --> 02:56:51.239 it is plot, highly improbable, characterization, exaggerated, conversation, unnatural, a 3048 02:56:51.239 --> 02:56:53.360 good deal of humor, but not always in the best 3049 02:56:53.360 --> 02:56:55.639 of taste. Tell her to keep on trying, and in 3050 02:56:55.680 --> 02:56:58.719 time she may produce a real book. Not on the 3051 02:56:58.760 --> 02:57:01.360 whole flattering. Is it death? And I thought I was 3052 02:57:01.360 --> 02:57:04.440 making a notable addition to American literature. I did, truly, 3053 02:57:05.120 --> 02:57:07.360 I was planning to surprise you by writing a great 3054 02:57:07.399 --> 02:57:10.760 novel before I graduated. I collected the material for it 3055 02:57:10.799 --> 02:57:13.159 while I was at Julia's last Christmas. But I dare 3056 02:57:13.159 --> 02:57:15.639 say the editor is right. Probably two weeks was not 3057 02:57:15.760 --> 02:57:17.760 enough in which to observe the manners and customs of 3058 02:57:17.760 --> 02:57:21.719 a great city. I took it walking with me yesterday afternoon, 3059 02:57:21.920 --> 02:57:23.600 and when I came to the gas house, I went 3060 02:57:23.639 --> 02:57:26.079 in and asked the engineer if I might borrow his furnace. 3061 02:57:26.719 --> 02:57:28.920 He politely opened the door, and with my own hands, 3062 02:57:28.920 --> 02:57:30.760 I chucked it in. I felt as though I had 3063 02:57:30.799 --> 02:57:34.239 cremated my only child. I went to bed last night 3064 02:57:34.319 --> 02:57:36.840 utterly dejected. I thought I was never going to amount 3065 02:57:36.840 --> 02:57:39.200 to anything, and that you had thrown away your money 3066 02:57:39.200 --> 02:57:41.760 for nothing. But what do you think. I woke up 3067 02:57:41.760 --> 02:57:43.959 this morning with a beautiful new plot in my head, 3068 02:57:43.959 --> 02:57:46.440 and I've been going about all day planning my characters 3069 02:57:46.600 --> 02:57:48.719 just as happy as I could be. No one can 3070 02:57:48.760 --> 02:57:51.079 ever accuse me of being a pessimist. If I had 3071 02:57:51.079 --> 02:57:53.719 a husband and twelve children swallowed by an earthquake one day, 3072 02:57:53.760 --> 02:57:56.360 I'd bob up smilingly the next morning and commenced to 3073 02:57:56.360 --> 02:58:02.280 look for another set. Affectionately Judy fourteenth December, Dear Daddy 3074 02:58:02.319 --> 02:58:05.479 long Legs. I dreamed the funniest dream last night. I 3075 02:58:05.559 --> 02:58:07.799 thought I went into a book store and the clerk 3076 02:58:07.879 --> 02:58:10.719 brought me a new book named The Life and Letters 3077 02:58:10.719 --> 02:58:13.840 of Judy Abbot. I could see it perfectly, plainly red 3078 02:58:13.879 --> 02:58:16.239 cloth binding, with a picture of the John greer Holme 3079 02:58:16.280 --> 02:58:18.959 on the cover, and my portrait for a frontispiece, with 3080 02:58:19.440 --> 02:58:23.159 very truly yours, Judy Abbot written below. But just as 3081 02:58:23.200 --> 02:58:25.040 I was turning to the end to read the inscription 3082 02:58:25.120 --> 02:58:28.399 on my tombstone, I woke up. Was very annoying. I 3083 02:58:28.399 --> 02:58:30.079 almost found out whom I'm going to marry and when 3084 02:58:30.079 --> 02:58:32.760 I'm going to die. Don't you think it would be 3085 02:58:32.760 --> 02:58:35.399 interesting if you really could read the story of your life, 3086 02:58:35.520 --> 02:58:40.079 written perfectly, truthfully by an omniscient author, and suppose you 3087 02:58:40.120 --> 02:58:42.520 could only read it on this condition that you would 3088 02:58:42.559 --> 02:58:44.879 never forget it, but would have to go through life 3089 02:58:44.879 --> 02:58:47.559 knowing ahead of time exactly how everything you did would 3090 02:58:47.600 --> 02:58:50.280 turn out, and foreseeing to the exact hour the time 3091 02:58:50.280 --> 02:58:53.079 when you would die. How many people do you suppose 3092 02:58:53.120 --> 02:58:55.799 would have the courage to read it then, or how 3093 02:58:55.840 --> 02:58:59.440 many could suppress their curiosity sufficiently to escape from reading it, 3094 02:58:59.600 --> 02:59:01.479 even at the price of having to live without hope 3095 02:59:01.520 --> 02:59:05.360 and without surprises. Life is monotonous enough at best you 3096 02:59:05.440 --> 02:59:08.479 have to eat and sleep about so often, But imagine 3097 02:59:08.520 --> 02:59:11.760 how deadly monotonous it would be if nothing unexpected could 3098 02:59:11.760 --> 02:59:15.440 happen between meals. Mercy, Daddy, there's a blot but I'm 3099 02:59:15.479 --> 02:59:17.520 on the third page and I can't begin a new sheet. 3100 02:59:18.399 --> 02:59:21.639 I'm going on with biology again this year. Very interesting subject. 3101 02:59:22.000 --> 02:59:25.120 We're studying the alimentary system at present. You should see 3102 02:59:25.159 --> 02:59:28.159 how sweet a cross section of the duodenum of a 3103 02:59:28.200 --> 02:59:32.200 cat is under the microscope. Also, we've arrived at philosophy. 3104 02:59:32.559 --> 02:59:37.159 Interesting but evanescent. I prefer biology, where you can pin 3105 02:59:37.239 --> 02:59:40.639 the subject under discussion to a board. There's another and another. 3106 02:59:40.959 --> 02:59:45.239 This pen is weeping copiously, please excuse its tears. Do 3107 02:59:45.239 --> 02:59:48.879 you believe in free will? I do unreservedly. I don't 3108 02:59:48.879 --> 02:59:51.319 agree at all with the philosophers who think that every 3109 02:59:51.360 --> 02:59:55.239 action is the absolute, inevitable and automatic resultant of an 3110 02:59:55.600 --> 02:59:59.639 aggregation of remote causes. That's the most immoral doctrine I 3111 02:59:59.680 --> 03:00:03.079 ever heard. Nobody would be to blame for anything. If 3112 03:00:03.079 --> 03:00:05.799 a man believed in fatalism, he would naturally just sit 3113 03:00:05.879 --> 03:00:08.200 down and say the Lord's will be done, and continue 3114 03:00:08.239 --> 03:00:11.440 to sit until he fell over dead. I believe absolutely 3115 03:00:11.479 --> 03:00:13.879 in my own free will and my own power to accomplish, 3116 03:00:13.920 --> 03:00:17.280 and that is the belief that moves mountains. You watch 3117 03:00:17.360 --> 03:00:19.639 me become a great author. I have four chapters of 3118 03:00:19.639 --> 03:00:22.719 my new book finished and five more drafted. This is 3119 03:00:22.760 --> 03:00:25.879 a very obtruse letter. There's your headache, daddy. I think 3120 03:00:25.879 --> 03:00:28.159 we'll stop now and make some fudge. I'm sorry I 3121 03:00:28.200 --> 03:00:30.479 can't send you a piece. It will be unusually good 3122 03:00:30.760 --> 03:00:32.559 for we are going to make it with real cream 3123 03:00:32.639 --> 03:00:37.000 and three butter balls. Yours affectionately, Judy p s. We're 3124 03:00:37.040 --> 03:00:39.879 having fancy dancing and gymnasium class. You can see by 3125 03:00:39.920 --> 03:00:42.399 the accompanying picture how much we look like a real ballet. 3126 03:00:42.799 --> 03:00:46.600 The one at the end accomplishing a graceful pirouet is me, 3127 03:00:47.000 --> 03:00:51.840 I mean I twenty six December, My dear dear daddy, 3128 03:00:51.920 --> 03:00:54.799 haven't you any sense? Don't you know that you mustn't 3129 03:00:54.799 --> 03:00:58.799 give one girl seventeen Christmas presents? I'm a socialist, please remember? 3130 03:00:59.079 --> 03:01:00.799 Do you wish to turn me in to a plutocrat? 3131 03:01:01.799 --> 03:01:04.040 Think how embarrassing it would be if we should ever quarrel. 3132 03:01:04.239 --> 03:01:06.159 I should have to engage a moving van to return 3133 03:01:06.159 --> 03:01:09.479 your gifts. I'm sorry that the necktie ascent was so wobbly. 3134 03:01:09.840 --> 03:01:12.239 I knit it with my own hands, As you doubtless 3135 03:01:12.239 --> 03:01:14.799 discovered from internal evidence, you will have to wear it 3136 03:01:14.840 --> 03:01:16.959 on cold days and keep your coat buttoned up. Tight. 3137 03:01:17.520 --> 03:01:20.360 Thank you Daddy a thousand times. I think you're the 3138 03:01:20.399 --> 03:01:25.360 sweetest man that ever lived and the foolishest Gudy. Here's 3139 03:01:25.360 --> 03:01:27.360 a four leaf clover from Camp McBride to bring you 3140 03:01:27.399 --> 03:01:31.959 good luck in the new year, ninth January. Do you 3141 03:01:31.959 --> 03:01:34.680 wish to do something, Daddy, that will ensure your internal salvation. 3142 03:01:35.479 --> 03:01:38.399 There's a family here who are in awfully desperate straits. 3143 03:01:38.920 --> 03:01:41.520 A mother and father and four visible children. The two 3144 03:01:41.559 --> 03:01:43.760 older boys have disappeared into the world to make their 3145 03:01:43.799 --> 03:01:46.239 fortune and have not sent any of it back. The 3146 03:01:46.319 --> 03:01:49.200 father worked in a glass factory and got consumption it's 3147 03:01:49.239 --> 03:01:51.760 awfully unhealthy work, and has now been sent away to 3148 03:01:51.840 --> 03:01:54.840 a hospital that took all their savings. And the support 3149 03:01:54.879 --> 03:01:57.200 of the family falls upon the oldest daughter, who is 3150 03:01:57.200 --> 03:01:59.760 twenty four. She dress makes for a dollar fifty a 3151 03:01:59.840 --> 03:02:02.600 day when she can get it, and embroider centerpieces in 3152 03:02:02.639 --> 03:02:05.559 the evening. The mother isn't very strong and is extremely 3153 03:02:05.600 --> 03:02:08.760 ineffectual and pious. She sits with her hands folded a 3154 03:02:08.799 --> 03:02:12.040 picture of patient resignation, while the daughter kills herself with 3155 03:02:12.079 --> 03:02:15.399 overwork and responsibility and worry. She doesn't see how they 3156 03:02:15.440 --> 03:02:16.879 are going to get through the rest of the winter, 3157 03:02:17.239 --> 03:02:20.440 and I don't either. One hundred dollars would buy some 3158 03:02:20.520 --> 03:02:22.920 coal and some shoes for three children, so that they 3159 03:02:22.920 --> 03:02:25.120 could go to school, and give a little margin so 3160 03:02:25.159 --> 03:02:27.000 that she needn't worry herself to death when a few 3161 03:02:27.040 --> 03:02:29.680 days pass and she doesn't get work. You are the 3162 03:02:29.760 --> 03:02:32.559 richest man I know. Don't you suppose you could spare 3163 03:02:32.559 --> 03:02:35.600 one hundred dollars? That girl deserves help a lot more 3164 03:02:35.600 --> 03:02:37.959 than I ever did. I wouldn't ask it, except for 3165 03:02:38.000 --> 03:02:40.079 the girl. I don't care much what happens to the mother. 3166 03:02:40.200 --> 03:02:43.079 She is such a jellyfish. The way people are forever 3167 03:02:43.159 --> 03:02:45.920 rolling their eyes to heaven and saying, perhaps it's all 3168 03:02:45.959 --> 03:02:48.120 for the best when they are perfectly dead short it's 3169 03:02:48.200 --> 03:02:51.920 not makes me enraged. Humility or resignation, or whatever you 3170 03:02:52.000 --> 03:02:55.520 choose to call it, is simply impotent inertia. I am 3171 03:02:55.559 --> 03:02:58.760 for a more militant religion. We are getting the most 3172 03:02:58.840 --> 03:03:02.719 dreadful lessons in philosoph all of Schopenhauer for tomorrow. The 3173 03:03:02.760 --> 03:03:05.120 professor doesn't seem to realize that we are taking any 3174 03:03:05.159 --> 03:03:08.280 other subject. He's a queer old duck. He goes about 3175 03:03:08.319 --> 03:03:11.120 with his head in the clouds and blinks dazedly. When 3176 03:03:11.159 --> 03:03:14.520 occasionally he strikes solid earth. He tries to lighten his 3177 03:03:14.639 --> 03:03:17.639 lectures with an occasional witticism, and we do our best 3178 03:03:17.639 --> 03:03:19.879 to smile. But I assure you his jokes are no 3179 03:03:19.959 --> 03:03:23.639 laughing matter. He spends his entire time between classes and 3180 03:03:23.680 --> 03:03:26.040 trying to figure out whether matter really exists, so whether 3181 03:03:26.079 --> 03:03:28.959 he only thinks it exists. I'm sure my sewing girl 3182 03:03:29.000 --> 03:03:32.479 hasn't any doubt but that it exists. Where do you 3183 03:03:32.479 --> 03:03:35.040 think my new novel is in the waste basket? I 3184 03:03:35.040 --> 03:03:36.959 can see myself that it's no good on earth? And 3185 03:03:37.000 --> 03:03:39.719 when a loving author realizes that, what would be the 3186 03:03:39.799 --> 03:03:44.440 judgment of a critical public? Later? I address you, daddy, 3187 03:03:44.479 --> 03:03:47.520 from a bed of pain. For two days, I've been 3188 03:03:47.600 --> 03:03:50.600 laid up with swollen tonsils. I can just swallow hot 3189 03:03:50.639 --> 03:03:53.520 milk and that's all. What were your parents thinking of, 3190 03:03:53.639 --> 03:03:55.799 not to have those tonsils out when you were a baby, 3191 03:03:55.879 --> 03:03:58.799 The doctor wished to know. I'm sure I haven't an idea, 3192 03:03:58.840 --> 03:04:00.600 but I doubt if they were thinking much about me 3193 03:04:01.239 --> 03:04:05.680 yours JA. Next morning, I just read this over before 3194 03:04:05.719 --> 03:04:07.760 sealing it. I don't know why I cast such a 3195 03:04:07.799 --> 03:04:10.639 misty atmosphere over life. I hasten to assure you that 3196 03:04:10.680 --> 03:04:13.079 I am young and happy and exuberant, and I trust 3197 03:04:13.159 --> 03:04:15.959 you are the same. Youth has nothing to do with birthdays, 3198 03:04:16.360 --> 03:04:19.200 only with a livenedness of spirit. So even if your 3199 03:04:19.200 --> 03:04:21.280 hair is gray, Daddy, you can still be a boy. 3200 03:04:21.719 --> 03:04:28.200 Affectionately Judy, twelfth January. Dear mister philanthropist, your check for 3201 03:04:28.319 --> 03:04:32.200 my family came yesterday. Thank you so much. I cut 3202 03:04:32.239 --> 03:04:34.360 gymnasium and took it down to them right after luncheon. 3203 03:04:34.360 --> 03:04:36.639 And you should have seen the girl's face. She was 3204 03:04:36.680 --> 03:04:39.559 so surprised and happy and relieved that she looked almost young, 3205 03:04:40.239 --> 03:04:44.280 and she's only twenty four. Isn't it pitiful? Anyway? She 3206 03:04:44.360 --> 03:04:46.680 feels now as though all the good things were coming together. 3207 03:04:47.120 --> 03:04:50.079 She has steady work ahead for two months, someone's getting married, 3208 03:04:50.239 --> 03:04:53.319 and there's a trousseau to make. Thank the Good Lord, 3209 03:04:53.520 --> 03:04:55.799 cried the mother when she grasped the fact that the 3210 03:04:55.840 --> 03:04:58.920 small piece of paper was one hundred dollars. It wasn't 3211 03:04:58.959 --> 03:05:01.200 the good Lord at all, said I. It was Daddy, 3212 03:05:01.239 --> 03:05:04.479 long legs, mister Smith, I called you, But it was 3213 03:05:04.520 --> 03:05:06.520 the good Lord who put it in his mind, said she, 3214 03:05:07.040 --> 03:05:09.159 not at all. I put it in his mind, myself 3215 03:05:09.200 --> 03:05:12.520 said I. But anyway, Daddy, I trust the Good Lord 3216 03:05:12.559 --> 03:05:16.079 will reward you suitably. You deserve ten thousand years out 3217 03:05:16.079 --> 03:05:23.360 of purgatory. Yours most gratefully, Judy Abbott, fifteenth February. Mate, Please, 3218 03:05:23.440 --> 03:05:27.120 your most excellent majesty. This morning I did eat my 3219 03:05:27.200 --> 03:05:30.360 breakfast upon a cold turkey pie and a goose, and 3220 03:05:30.440 --> 03:05:33.120 I did send for a cup of tea, a China 3221 03:05:33.200 --> 03:05:37.840 drink of which I had never drank before. Don't be nervous, daddy, 3222 03:05:37.879 --> 03:05:41.399 I haven't lost my mind. I'm merely quoting samal Peeps. 3223 03:05:41.559 --> 03:05:44.559 We're reading him in connection with English history original sources. 3224 03:05:44.959 --> 03:05:47.799 Sally and Julia and I converse now in the language 3225 03:05:47.840 --> 03:05:51.319 of sixteen sixty. Listen to this. I went to Charing 3226 03:05:51.360 --> 03:05:54.920 Cross to see Major Harrison, hanged, drawn and quoted. He 3227 03:05:55.040 --> 03:05:57.879 looking as cheerful as any man could do in that condition. 3228 03:05:58.639 --> 03:06:01.799 And this dining with my lady, who is in handsome 3229 03:06:01.879 --> 03:06:05.200 mourning for her brother who died yesterday of spotted fever, 3230 03:06:06.159 --> 03:06:09.319 seems a little early to commence entertaining, doesn't it. A 3231 03:06:09.360 --> 03:06:12.239 friend of Peep's devised a very cunning manner whereby the 3232 03:06:12.319 --> 03:06:14.200 king might pay his debts out of the sale to 3233 03:06:14.239 --> 03:06:18.200 poor people of old decayed provisions. What do you, a reformer, 3234 03:06:18.319 --> 03:06:21.000 think of that? I don't believe we're so bad today. 3235 03:06:21.000 --> 03:06:24.680 As the newspapers make out, Samuel was as excited about 3236 03:06:24.680 --> 03:06:27.200 his clothes as any girl. He spent five times as 3237 03:06:27.280 --> 03:06:29.639 much on dress as his wife. That appears to have 3238 03:06:29.639 --> 03:06:33.200 been the golden age of husbands. Isn't this the touching entry? 3239 03:06:33.360 --> 03:06:36.479 You see? He really was honest to day came home 3240 03:06:36.600 --> 03:06:39.840 my fine camlet cloak with gold buttons, which cost me 3241 03:06:39.920 --> 03:06:42.360 much money, and I pray God to make me able 3242 03:06:42.360 --> 03:06:45.120 to pay for it. Excuse me for being so full 3243 03:06:45.120 --> 03:06:47.879 of peeps. I'm writing a special topic on him. What 3244 03:06:47.959 --> 03:06:51.399 do you think? Daddy? The Self Government Association has abolished 3245 03:06:51.399 --> 03:06:54.600 the ten o'clock rule. We can keep our lights all 3246 03:06:54.719 --> 03:06:57.000 night if we choose, the only requirement being that we 3247 03:06:57.040 --> 03:06:59.639 do not disturb others. We're not supposed to entertain on 3248 03:06:59.639 --> 03:07:03.840 a large The result is a beautiful commentary on human nature. 3249 03:07:04.319 --> 03:07:06.200 Now that we may stay up as long as we choose, 3250 03:07:06.239 --> 03:07:08.920 we no longer choose. Our heads begin to drop at 3251 03:07:09.000 --> 03:07:11.719 nine o'clock, and by nine thirty the pen drops from 3252 03:07:11.719 --> 03:07:17.239 our nerveless grasp. It's nine thirty now, good night, Sunday, 3253 03:07:17.520 --> 03:07:21.159 Just back from church preacher from Georgia. We must take caa, 3254 03:07:21.440 --> 03:07:24.799 he says, not to develop our intellects at the expense 3255 03:07:24.840 --> 03:07:28.159 of our emotional natures. But methought it was a poor 3256 03:07:28.319 --> 03:07:31.879 dry salmon. Peeps. Again, it doesn't matter what part of 3257 03:07:31.879 --> 03:07:33.879 the United States or Canada they come from, or what 3258 03:07:33.959 --> 03:07:36.760 denomination they are, we always get the same sermon. Why 3259 03:07:36.840 --> 03:07:39.360 on earth don't they go to men's colleges and urge 3260 03:07:39.399 --> 03:07:42.479 the students not to allow their manly natures to be 3261 03:07:42.520 --> 03:07:47.280 crushed out by too much mental application. It's a beautiful day, 3262 03:07:47.479 --> 03:07:50.559 frozen and icy and clear. As soon as dinner is over, 3263 03:07:50.680 --> 03:07:53.879 Sally and Julia and Marty Keene and Eleanor Pratt friends 3264 03:07:53.879 --> 03:07:56.040 of mine, but you don't know them. And I are 3265 03:07:56.079 --> 03:07:58.399 going to put on short skirts at walk cross country 3266 03:07:58.399 --> 03:08:00.559 to Crystal Spring Farm and have a fry chicken and 3267 03:08:00.600 --> 03:08:04.360 waffle supper and then have Crystal Spring drive us home 3268 03:08:04.360 --> 03:08:06.520 and his buckboard. We are supposed to be inside the 3269 03:08:06.520 --> 03:08:08.440 campus at seven, but we are going to stretch a 3270 03:08:08.440 --> 03:08:12.079 point tonight and make it eight. Farewell, kind sir, I 3271 03:08:12.159 --> 03:08:17.479 have the honor of subscribing myself your most loyal, dutiful, faithful, 3272 03:08:17.799 --> 03:08:24.440 and obedient servant. Jay Abbott, March fifth, Dear mister trustee, 3273 03:08:25.040 --> 03:08:27.639 Tomorrow is the first Wednesday in the month, A weary 3274 03:08:27.719 --> 03:08:30.799 day for the John Greerholme. How relieved they'll be when 3275 03:08:30.799 --> 03:08:32.799 five o'clock comes and you pat them on the head 3276 03:08:32.879 --> 03:08:36.559 take yourselves off. Did you individually ever pat me on 3277 03:08:36.600 --> 03:08:39.239 the head, Daddy? I don't believe so. My memory seems 3278 03:08:39.239 --> 03:08:42.559 to be concerned only with fat trustees. Give the home, 3279 03:08:42.600 --> 03:08:45.319 my love, please, my truly love. I have quite a 3280 03:08:45.319 --> 03:08:47.479 feeling of tenderness for it as I look back through 3281 03:08:47.520 --> 03:08:50.639 a haze of four years. When I first came to college, 3282 03:08:50.680 --> 03:08:53.360 I felt quite resembful, because I'd been robbed of the 3283 03:08:53.360 --> 03:08:55.479 normal kind of childhood that the other girls had had. 3284 03:08:56.399 --> 03:08:58.079 But now I don't feel that way in the least. 3285 03:08:58.479 --> 03:09:01.879 I regard it as a very usual adventure. It gives 3286 03:09:01.879 --> 03:09:03.840 me a sort of vantage point from which to stand 3287 03:09:03.879 --> 03:09:06.920 aside and look at life emerging full grown. I get 3288 03:09:06.959 --> 03:09:09.159 a perspective on the world that other people who have 3289 03:09:09.200 --> 03:09:11.319 been brought up in the thick of things entirely lack. 3290 03:09:12.200 --> 03:09:15.440 I know lots of girls, Julia, for instance, who never 3291 03:09:15.520 --> 03:09:18.000 know that they are happy. They are so accustomed to 3292 03:09:18.000 --> 03:09:20.959 the feeling that their senses are deadened to it. But 3293 03:09:21.040 --> 03:09:23.879 as for me, I am perfectly sure every moment of 3294 03:09:23.920 --> 03:09:26.520 my life that I am happy, and I'm going to 3295 03:09:26.600 --> 03:09:29.159 keep on being no matter what unpleasant things turn up. 3296 03:09:29.600 --> 03:09:32.760 I am going to regard them, even toothaches, as interesting 3297 03:09:32.840 --> 03:09:35.520 experiences and be glad to know what they feel like. 3298 03:09:36.159 --> 03:09:40.840 Whatever sky's above me, I have a heart for any fate. However, Daddy, 3299 03:09:40.879 --> 03:09:43.200 don't take this new affection for the j g H 3300 03:09:43.280 --> 03:09:46.680 two literally. If I have five children like Rousseau, I 3301 03:09:46.680 --> 03:09:48.920 shan't leave them on the steps of a foundling asylum 3302 03:09:48.959 --> 03:09:52.000 in order to ensure their being brought up. Simply give 3303 03:09:52.040 --> 03:09:54.719 my kindest regards to missus Lippett that I think is 3304 03:09:54.719 --> 03:09:57.559 truthful love would be a little strong, and don't forget 3305 03:09:57.559 --> 03:10:00.799 to tell her what a beautiful nature I've developed Affectionately 3306 03:10:00.959 --> 03:10:06.120 Judy lock Willow, fourth April, Dear Daddy, do you observe 3307 03:10:06.200 --> 03:10:09.479 the postmark? Sally and I are embellishing lock Willow with 3308 03:10:09.559 --> 03:10:13.120 our presence During the Easter vacation. We decided that the 3309 03:10:13.120 --> 03:10:14.879 best thing we could do with our ten days was 3310 03:10:14.920 --> 03:10:17.200 to come where it is quiet. Our nerves had got 3311 03:10:17.239 --> 03:10:19.959 to the point where they wouldn't stand another meal. In Ferguson, 3312 03:10:20.479 --> 03:10:22.639 dining in a room with four hundred girls is an ordeal. 3313 03:10:22.680 --> 03:10:25.479 When you're tired. There's so much noisy you can't hear 3314 03:10:25.479 --> 03:10:27.600 the girls across the table speak unless they make their 3315 03:10:27.600 --> 03:10:30.479 hands into a megaphone and shout. That is the truth. 3316 03:10:31.440 --> 03:10:33.680 We are tramping over the hills and reading and writing 3317 03:10:33.719 --> 03:10:36.239 and having a nice RESTful time. We climbed to the 3318 03:10:36.239 --> 03:10:38.799 top of sky Hill this morning, where Master Jerby and 3319 03:10:38.799 --> 03:10:41.719 I once cooked supper. It doesn't seem possible that it 3320 03:10:41.760 --> 03:10:44.399 was nearly two years ago. I could still see the 3321 03:10:44.399 --> 03:10:46.680 place where the smoke of our fire blackened the rock. 3322 03:10:47.520 --> 03:10:50.319 It is funny how certain places get connected with certain people, 3323 03:10:50.680 --> 03:10:53.000 and you never go back without thinking of them. I 3324 03:10:53.079 --> 03:10:56.920 was quite lonely without him for two minutes. What do 3325 03:10:56.959 --> 03:10:59.280 you think is my latest activity? Daddy? You will begin 3326 03:10:59.319 --> 03:11:02.559 to believe I am corrigible. I'm writing a book. I 3327 03:11:02.600 --> 03:11:05.000 started it three weeks ago and am eating it up 3328 03:11:05.040 --> 03:11:08.200 in chunks. I've caught the secret. Master Jervy and that 3329 03:11:08.399 --> 03:11:10.879 editor Man were right. You are most convincing when you 3330 03:11:10.920 --> 03:11:13.159 write about the things you know, and this time it 3331 03:11:13.200 --> 03:11:16.799 is about something that I do know exhaustively. Guess where 3332 03:11:16.799 --> 03:11:20.520 it's laid in the John Greer home. And it's good, Daddy. 3333 03:11:20.559 --> 03:11:23.600 I actually believe it is just about the tiny little 3334 03:11:23.600 --> 03:11:26.559 things that happened every day. I'm a realist now. I 3335 03:11:26.600 --> 03:11:29.600 have abandoned romanticism. I shall go back to it later, though, 3336 03:11:29.719 --> 03:11:33.079 when my own adventurous future begins. This new book is 3337 03:11:33.120 --> 03:11:35.440 going to get itself finished and published. You see if 3338 03:11:35.440 --> 03:11:38.280 it doesn't. If you just want a thing hard enough 3339 03:11:38.319 --> 03:11:40.559 and keep on trying, you do get it in the end. 3340 03:11:41.200 --> 03:11:42.879 I've been trying for four years to get a letter 3341 03:11:42.879 --> 03:11:45.520 from you, and I haven't given up hope yet. Goodbye, 3342 03:11:45.600 --> 03:11:48.440 Daddy Dear. I like to call you daddy dear. It's 3343 03:11:48.479 --> 03:11:52.680 so illiterative, affectionately. Judy. Yes, I forgot to tell you 3344 03:11:52.680 --> 03:11:55.559 the farm news, but it's very distressing. Skip this PostScript 3345 03:11:55.559 --> 03:11:58.559 if you don't want your sensibilities all wrought up. Poor 3346 03:11:58.600 --> 03:12:01.040 old Grove is dead. He got so that he couldn't chew, 3347 03:12:01.120 --> 03:12:04.000 and they had to shoot him. Nine chickens were killed 3348 03:12:04.000 --> 03:12:06.040 by a weasel or a skunk or a rat last week. 3349 03:12:06.559 --> 03:12:08.319 One of the cows is sick and we had to 3350 03:12:08.319 --> 03:12:11.000 have the veterinary surgeon out from Bonny Rig four corners. 3351 03:12:11.879 --> 03:12:14.280 AMESI stayed up all night to give her lindsay oil 3352 03:12:14.280 --> 03:12:16.760 and whiskey. But we have an awful suspicion that the 3353 03:12:16.760 --> 03:12:20.440 poor sick cow got nothing but lindseed oil. Sentimental Tommy, 3354 03:12:20.520 --> 03:12:23.639 the tortoise shell cat, has disappeared. We are afraid he's 3355 03:12:23.680 --> 03:12:26.040 been caught in a trap. There are a lot of 3356 03:12:26.079 --> 03:12:30.680 troubles in the world. Seventeenth May, Dear Daddy long Legs, 3357 03:12:30.719 --> 03:12:33.280 This is going to be extremely short because my shoulder 3358 03:12:33.319 --> 03:12:35.799 aches at the sight of a pen. Lecture notes all day, 3359 03:12:35.840 --> 03:12:39.920 immortal novel, all evening, make too much writing commencement three 3360 03:12:39.920 --> 03:12:42.399 weeks from next Wednesday. I think you might come and 3361 03:12:42.440 --> 03:12:44.840 make my acquaintance. I shall hate you if you don't. 3362 03:12:45.479 --> 03:12:49.280 Julia's inviting Master Jerviy, he being her family, and Sally's 3363 03:12:49.319 --> 03:12:52.360 inviting Jimmy mc beee he being her family. But who 3364 03:12:52.399 --> 03:12:54.760 is there for me to invite? Just you and lip It, 3365 03:12:54.799 --> 03:12:58.360 and I don't want her. Please come yours with love 3366 03:12:58.399 --> 03:13:02.719 and writer's cramp, Judy. End of Part eight of Daddy 3367 03:13:02.719 --> 03:13:10.040 Long Legs by Jean Webster. Part nine, Lock Willow, nineteenth June, 3368 03:13:10.319 --> 03:13:14.680 Dear Daddy long legs. I'm educated. My diploma is in 3369 03:13:14.719 --> 03:13:18.559 the bottom bureau drawer of my two best dresses. Commencement 3370 03:13:18.799 --> 03:13:21.680 was as usual, with a few showers at vital moments. 3371 03:13:22.239 --> 03:13:25.680 Thank you for your rosebuds. They were lovely. Master Jervy 3372 03:13:25.680 --> 03:13:28.200 and Master Jimmy both gave me roses too, but I 3373 03:13:28.280 --> 03:13:30.239 left theirs in the bath tub and carried yours in 3374 03:13:30.280 --> 03:13:33.719 the class procession. Here I am at Lock Willow for 3375 03:13:33.760 --> 03:13:37.479 the summer forever. Maybe the board is cheap, the surroundings 3376 03:13:37.520 --> 03:13:40.840 quiet and conductive to a literary life. What more does 3377 03:13:40.879 --> 03:13:44.079 a struggling author wish? I am mad about my book. 3378 03:13:44.559 --> 03:13:47.040 I think about it every waking moment and dream of 3379 03:13:47.079 --> 03:13:50.079 it at night. All I want is peace and quiet, 3380 03:13:50.239 --> 03:13:54.760 lots of time to work, interspersed with nourishing meals. Master 3381 03:13:54.840 --> 03:13:56.879 Jervy is coming up for a week or so in August, 3382 03:13:56.879 --> 03:13:59.000 and Jimmy mc bride is going to drop in sometime 3383 03:13:59.120 --> 03:14:02.360 through the summer. He's connected with a bond house now 3384 03:14:02.399 --> 03:14:05.520 and goes about the country selling bonds to banks. He's 3385 03:14:05.559 --> 03:14:08.319 going to combine the Farmer's National at the Corners and 3386 03:14:08.399 --> 03:14:11.600 me on the same trip. You see that Lock Willow 3387 03:14:11.680 --> 03:14:15.280 isn't entirely lacking in society. I'd be expecting to have 3388 03:14:15.360 --> 03:14:18.079 you come motoring through. Only I know now that it 3389 03:14:18.120 --> 03:14:20.799 is hopeless. When you wouldn't come to my commencement, I 3390 03:14:20.840 --> 03:14:23.840 tore you from my heart and buried you forever. Judy 3391 03:14:23.879 --> 03:14:29.479 Abbott A. B. Twenty fourth July, Dearest Daddy long Legs. 3392 03:14:29.600 --> 03:14:32.559 Isn't it fun to work? Or don't you ever do it? 3393 03:14:32.559 --> 03:14:34.600 It's especially fun when your kind of work is the 3394 03:14:34.639 --> 03:14:36.879 thing you'd rather do more than anything else in the world. 3395 03:14:37.479 --> 03:14:39.520 I've been writing as fast as my pen would go 3396 03:14:39.639 --> 03:14:42.319 every day this summer, and my only quarrel with life 3397 03:14:42.360 --> 03:14:44.239 is that the days aren't long enough to write all 3398 03:14:44.280 --> 03:14:48.440 the beautiful and valuable and entertaining thoughts. I'm thinking. I've 3399 03:14:48.479 --> 03:14:50.360 finished the second draft of my book, and I'm going 3400 03:14:50.360 --> 03:14:52.559 to begin the third tomorrow morning at half past seven. 3401 03:14:53.200 --> 03:14:55.959 It's the sweetest book you ever saw, it is, truly. 3402 03:14:56.399 --> 03:14:58.719 I think of nothing else. I can barely wait in 3403 03:14:58.760 --> 03:15:01.159 the morning to dress and eat before beginning, And then 3404 03:15:01.200 --> 03:15:03.719 I write and write and write till suddenly I'm so 3405 03:15:03.840 --> 03:15:06.360 tired that I'm limp all over. Then I go out 3406 03:15:06.360 --> 03:15:08.959 with Colin the new sheep Dog and rob through the 3407 03:15:08.959 --> 03:15:10.920 fields and get a fresh supply of ideas for the 3408 03:15:10.920 --> 03:15:14.719 next day. It's the most beautiful book you ever saw. Oh, 3409 03:15:14.719 --> 03:15:17.879 pardon I said that before. You don't think being conceited, 3410 03:15:17.920 --> 03:15:21.200 do you, Daddy Dear, I'm not really, only just now 3411 03:15:21.239 --> 03:15:24.159 I'm in the enthusiastic stage. Maybe later on I'll get 3412 03:15:24.159 --> 03:15:27.000 cold and critical and stuffy. No, I'm sure I won't. 3413 03:15:27.040 --> 03:15:29.319 This time, I've written a real book. Just wait till 3414 03:15:29.360 --> 03:15:31.799 you see it. I'll try for a moment to talk 3415 03:15:31.799 --> 03:15:34.840 about something else I never told you, did I that 3416 03:15:34.879 --> 03:15:38.319 AMESI and Carrie got married last May. They're still working here, 3417 03:15:38.360 --> 03:15:39.840 but so far as I can see, it has spoiled 3418 03:15:39.840 --> 03:15:42.040 them both. She used to laugh when he tramped in 3419 03:15:42.120 --> 03:15:44.360 mud and dropped ashes on the floor, but now you 3420 03:15:44.399 --> 03:15:47.040 should hear her scold, and she doesn't curl her hair 3421 03:15:47.079 --> 03:15:50.479 any longer. AMESI, who used to be so obliging about 3422 03:15:50.479 --> 03:15:53.840 beating rugs and carrying wood, grumbles if you suggest such 3423 03:15:53.840 --> 03:15:56.959 a thing. Also, his neckties are quite dingy, black and 3424 03:15:57.000 --> 03:15:59.719 brown where they used to be scarlet and purple. I 3425 03:15:59.760 --> 03:16:02.639 have to determined never to marry. It's a deteriorating process. 3426 03:16:02.639 --> 03:16:06.479 Evidently there isn't much of any farm news. The animals 3427 03:16:06.520 --> 03:16:09.200 are all the best of health. The pigs are unusually fat, 3428 03:16:09.239 --> 03:16:11.520 the cows seem contented, and the hens are laying well. 3429 03:16:11.959 --> 03:16:14.959 Are you interested in poultry? If so, let me recommend 3430 03:16:14.959 --> 03:16:18.040 that invaluable little work two hundred eggs per hen per year. 3431 03:16:18.680 --> 03:16:21.639 I'm thinking of starting an incubator next spring and raising broilers. 3432 03:16:22.120 --> 03:16:25.399 You see, I'm settled at Lockwillow permanently. I've decided to 3433 03:16:25.399 --> 03:16:28.040 stay until I've written one hundred and fourteen novels like 3434 03:16:28.079 --> 03:16:31.200 Anthony Trollop's Mother. Then I shall have completed my life 3435 03:16:31.239 --> 03:16:35.239 work and can retire and travel. Mister James McBride spent 3436 03:16:35.319 --> 03:16:38.000 last Sunday with us fried chicken and ice cream for dinner, 3437 03:16:38.040 --> 03:16:40.520 both of which he appeared to appreciate. I was awfully 3438 03:16:40.520 --> 03:16:43.639 glad to see him. He brought a momentary reminder that 3439 03:16:43.719 --> 03:16:46.799 the world at large exists. Poor Jimmy is having a 3440 03:16:46.840 --> 03:16:49.639 hard time pedaling his bonds. The Farmer's National at the 3441 03:16:49.680 --> 03:16:51.639 Corners wouldn't have anything to do with them, in spite 3442 03:16:51.680 --> 03:16:53.520 of the fact that they pay six percent interests and 3443 03:16:53.600 --> 03:16:56.360 sometimes seven. I think he'll end up by going home 3444 03:16:56.399 --> 03:16:58.760 to Worcester and taking a job in his father's factory. 3445 03:16:59.239 --> 03:17:01.719 He's too open, a confiding, and kind hearted ever to 3446 03:17:01.719 --> 03:17:04.799 make a successful fit andseer. But to be the manager 3447 03:17:04.799 --> 03:17:07.760 of a flourishing overall factory is a very desirable position, 3448 03:17:07.840 --> 03:17:10.040 don't you think. Just now he turns up his nose 3449 03:17:10.079 --> 03:17:13.079 at overalls, but he'll come to them. I hope you'll 3450 03:17:13.079 --> 03:17:15.680 appreciate the fact that this is a long letter from 3451 03:17:15.680 --> 03:17:19.120 a person with writer's cramp. But I still love you, daddy, dear, 3452 03:17:19.280 --> 03:17:22.440 and I am very happy with beautiful scenery all about, 3453 03:17:22.440 --> 03:17:24.639 and lots to eat in a comfortable four post bed, 3454 03:17:24.639 --> 03:17:26.680 and a ream of blank paper and a pint of ink. 3455 03:17:27.079 --> 03:17:30.079 What more does one want in the world? Yours as always, 3456 03:17:30.200 --> 03:17:34.079 Judy p s. The postman arrives with some more news. 3457 03:17:34.440 --> 03:17:36.840 We are to expect Master Jervy on Friday next to 3458 03:17:36.879 --> 03:17:39.719 spend a week. It's a very pleasant prospect. Only I'm 3459 03:17:39.760 --> 03:17:43.200 afraid my poor book will suffer. Master Jervy is very demanding. 3460 03:17:45.040 --> 03:17:50.239 Twenty seventh August, Dear Daddy longlegs, where are you? I wonder? 3461 03:17:51.399 --> 03:17:53.040 I never know what part of the world you're in, 3462 03:17:53.200 --> 03:17:54.799 but I hope you're not in New York during this 3463 03:17:54.840 --> 03:17:57.520 awful weather. I hope you are on a mountain peak, 3464 03:17:57.799 --> 03:18:01.000 but not in Switzerland, somewhere nearer, looking at the snow 3465 03:18:01.079 --> 03:18:05.879 and thinking about me. Please be thinking about me. I'm 3466 03:18:05.920 --> 03:18:10.239 quite lonely and I want to be thought about. Oh, Daddy, 3467 03:18:10.280 --> 03:18:13.760 I wish I knew you then, when we were unhappy, 3468 03:18:13.799 --> 03:18:17.000 we could cheer each other up. I don't think I 3469 03:18:17.040 --> 03:18:19.879 can stand much more of Lock Willow. I'm thinking of moving. 3470 03:18:20.399 --> 03:18:22.920 Sally is going to do settlement work in Boston next winter. 3471 03:18:23.399 --> 03:18:25.079 Don't you think it would be nice for me to 3472 03:18:25.079 --> 03:18:26.959 go with her? Then we could have a studio together. 3473 03:18:27.360 --> 03:18:29.559 I would write while she's settled, and we could be 3474 03:18:29.600 --> 03:18:33.040 together in the evenings. Evenings are very long when there's 3475 03:18:33.040 --> 03:18:35.239 no one but the simples and carry and ameside to 3476 03:18:35.319 --> 03:18:38.319 talk to. I know in advance that you won't like 3477 03:18:38.399 --> 03:18:41.760 my studio idea. I can read your secretary's letter now, 3478 03:18:42.239 --> 03:18:45.399 mister RuSHA Abbott, dear Madam, mister Smith prefers that you 3479 03:18:45.440 --> 03:18:50.079 remain at lock Willow, yours truly, Elmer H. Griggs. I 3480 03:18:50.159 --> 03:18:53.200 hate your secretary. I'm certain that a man named Elmer H. 3481 03:18:53.239 --> 03:18:56.159 Griggs must be horrid, But truly, Daddy, I think I 3482 03:18:56.159 --> 03:18:58.520 shall have to go to Boston. I can't stay here 3483 03:18:59.079 --> 03:19:01.280 if something doesn't happen, and soon I shall throw myself 3484 03:19:01.280 --> 03:19:05.719 into the silo pit out of sheer desperation. Oh mercy, 3485 03:19:05.760 --> 03:19:08.600 but it's hot. All the grass is burnt up, and 3486 03:19:08.600 --> 03:19:11.319 the brooks are dry. The roads are Dusty hasn't rained 3487 03:19:11.360 --> 03:19:14.399 for weeks and weeks. This letter sounds as though I 3488 03:19:14.399 --> 03:19:19.879 had hydrophobia, but I haven't. I just want some family. Goodbye, 3489 03:19:19.920 --> 03:19:26.840 my dearest Daddy. I wish I knew you. Judy lock 3490 03:19:26.879 --> 03:19:30.360 Willow nineteenth September, Dear Daddy, something has happened and I 3491 03:19:30.399 --> 03:19:32.680 need advice. I need it from you and from nobody 3492 03:19:32.680 --> 03:19:35.840 else in the world. Wouldn't it be possible for me 3493 03:19:35.920 --> 03:19:38.799 to see you. It's so much easier to talk than 3494 03:19:38.840 --> 03:19:41.319 to write, and I'm afraid your secretary might open the letter. 3495 03:19:41.719 --> 03:19:47.799 Judy PS, I'm very unhappy. Lock Willow. Third October. Dear 3496 03:19:47.879 --> 03:19:50.920 Daddy long Legs. Your note, written in your own hand 3497 03:19:51.159 --> 03:19:54.399 and a pretty wobbly hand, came this morning. I'm so 3498 03:19:54.600 --> 03:19:56.879 sorry that you've been ill. I wouldn't have bothered you 3499 03:19:56.920 --> 03:19:59.200 with my affairs if I had known. Yes, I will 3500 03:19:59.200 --> 03:20:01.520 tell you the trouble. It's sort of complicated to write 3501 03:20:01.520 --> 03:20:05.040 and very private. Please don't keep this letter, but burn 3502 03:20:05.079 --> 03:20:09.760 it before I begin. Here's a check for one thousand dollars. 3503 03:20:10.000 --> 03:20:11.920 It seems funny, doesn't it, for me to be sending 3504 03:20:11.920 --> 03:20:14.360 a check to you? Where do you think I got it? 3505 03:20:15.639 --> 03:20:18.799 I've sold my story, Daddy. It's going to be published 3506 03:20:18.799 --> 03:20:22.079 serially in seven parts and then in a book. You 3507 03:20:22.159 --> 03:20:23.959 might think I'd be wild with joy, but I'm not. 3508 03:20:24.559 --> 03:20:28.360 I'm entirely apathetic. Of course, I'm glad to begin paying you. 3509 03:20:28.799 --> 03:20:31.079 I owe you over two thousand and more. It's coming 3510 03:20:31.079 --> 03:20:33.920 in installments. Now, don't be hard please about taking it, 3511 03:20:33.959 --> 03:20:36.399 because it makes me happy to return it. I owe 3512 03:20:36.440 --> 03:20:38.319 you a great deal more than the mere money, and 3513 03:20:38.360 --> 03:20:40.479 the rest I will continue to pay all my life 3514 03:20:40.559 --> 03:20:44.520 in gratitude and affection. And now, Daddy, about the other thing. 3515 03:20:45.440 --> 03:20:47.920 Please give me your most worldly advice. Whether you think 3516 03:20:47.959 --> 03:20:51.440 I'll like it or not. You know that I've always 3517 03:20:51.520 --> 03:20:54.520 had a very special feeling towards you. You sort of 3518 03:20:54.520 --> 03:20:57.600 represented my whole family. But you won't mind, will you? 3519 03:20:57.639 --> 03:21:00.280 If I tell you that I have a very much 3520 03:21:00.360 --> 03:21:04.000 more special feeling for another man, you can probably guess 3521 03:21:04.000 --> 03:21:06.280 without much trouble who he is. I suspect that my 3522 03:21:06.399 --> 03:21:08.719 letters have been very full of Master Jersey for a 3523 03:21:08.840 --> 03:21:12.479 very long time. I wish I could make you understand 3524 03:21:12.479 --> 03:21:16.120 what he's like and how entirely companionable we are. We 3525 03:21:16.239 --> 03:21:19.239 think the same about everything. I'm afraid I have a 3526 03:21:19.280 --> 03:21:22.479 tendency to make over my ideas to match his. But 3527 03:21:22.559 --> 03:21:24.760 he's almost always right. He ought to be, you know, 3528 03:21:24.840 --> 03:21:27.799 for he has fourteen year start of me, and otherwise though, 3529 03:21:27.840 --> 03:21:30.360 he's just an overgrown boy and he does need looking after. 3530 03:21:30.799 --> 03:21:33.360 He hasn't any sense about wearing rubbers when it rains. 3531 03:21:34.360 --> 03:21:36.440 He and I always think the same things are funny, 3532 03:21:36.959 --> 03:21:39.680 and that is such a lot. It's dreadful when two 3533 03:21:39.719 --> 03:21:43.440 people's senses of humor are antagonistic. I don't believe there's 3534 03:21:43.479 --> 03:21:48.239 any bridging that gulf, and he is well, He is 3535 03:21:48.319 --> 03:21:51.159 just himself, and I miss him and miss him and 3536 03:21:51.280 --> 03:21:55.000 miss him. The whole world seems empty and aching. I 3537 03:21:55.040 --> 03:21:57.639 hate the moonlight because it's beautiful and he isn't here 3538 03:21:57.680 --> 03:22:01.120 to see it with me. Maybe you've loved somebody too, 3539 03:22:01.319 --> 03:22:04.840 and you know if you have, I don't need to explain. 3540 03:22:05.719 --> 03:22:09.360 If you haven't, I can't explain anyway. That's the way 3541 03:22:09.360 --> 03:22:14.200 I feel and I've refused to marry him. I didn't 3542 03:22:14.200 --> 03:22:16.360 tell him why. I was just dumb and miserable. I 3543 03:22:16.399 --> 03:22:18.760 couldn't think of anything to say. And now he's gone 3544 03:22:18.760 --> 03:22:22.120 away imagining that I want to marry Jimmy McBride. I don't. 3545 03:22:22.159 --> 03:22:24.719 In the least. I wouldn't think of marrying Jimmy. He 3546 03:22:24.719 --> 03:22:27.879 hasn't grown up enough. The Master Jermy and I got 3547 03:22:27.920 --> 03:22:30.399 into a dreadful muddle of misunderstanding, and we both hurt 3548 03:22:30.440 --> 03:22:33.040 each other's feelings. The reason I sent him away was 3549 03:22:33.040 --> 03:22:34.879 not because I didn't care for him, but because I 3550 03:22:34.920 --> 03:22:38.319 cared for him so much. I was afraid he would 3551 03:22:38.360 --> 03:22:40.680 regret it in the future, and I couldn't stand that 3552 03:22:41.520 --> 03:22:43.760 it didn't seem right for a person of my lack 3553 03:22:43.799 --> 03:22:46.520 of antecedents to marry into any such family as his. 3554 03:22:47.719 --> 03:22:49.799 I never told him about the orphan asylum, and I 3555 03:22:49.879 --> 03:22:51.920 hated to explain that I didn't know who I was. 3556 03:22:52.600 --> 03:22:56.120 I may be dreadful, you know, and his family are proud, 3557 03:22:56.159 --> 03:23:01.079 and I'm proud too. Also. I feel so bound to you. 3558 03:23:01.360 --> 03:23:03.520 After having been educated to be a writer, I must 3559 03:23:03.520 --> 03:23:06.520 at least try to be one. It would scarcely be 3560 03:23:06.520 --> 03:23:08.600 fair to accept your education and then go off and 3561 03:23:08.639 --> 03:23:11.520 not use it. But now that I'm going to be 3562 03:23:11.559 --> 03:23:14.000 able to pay back the money, I feel that I 3563 03:23:14.040 --> 03:23:17.920 have partially discharged that debt. Besides, I suppose I could 3564 03:23:18.000 --> 03:23:19.959 keep on being a writer even if I did marry. 3565 03:23:20.280 --> 03:23:24.799 The two professions are not necessarily exclusive. I've been thinking 3566 03:23:24.920 --> 03:23:27.559 very hard about it. Of Course, he's a socialist, and 3567 03:23:27.600 --> 03:23:30.920 he has unconventional ideas. Maybe he wouldn't mind marrying into 3568 03:23:30.920 --> 03:23:34.399 the proletariat so much as some men might. Perhaps when 3569 03:23:34.399 --> 03:23:37.079 two people are exactly in accord and always happy when 3570 03:23:37.120 --> 03:23:39.920 together and lonely went apart, they ought not to let 3571 03:23:39.959 --> 03:23:42.760 anything in the world stand between them. Of course I 3572 03:23:42.879 --> 03:23:46.440 want to believe that, but I'd like to get your 3573 03:23:46.520 --> 03:23:51.000 unemotional opinion. You probably belong to a family also, and 3574 03:23:51.040 --> 03:23:53.000 we'll look at it from a worldly point of view 3575 03:23:53.040 --> 03:23:56.239 and not just a sympathetic human point of view. So 3576 03:23:56.280 --> 03:24:00.000 you see how brave I am to lay it before you. 3577 03:24:00.000 --> 03:24:01.959 Suppose I go to him and explain that the trouble 3578 03:24:02.000 --> 03:24:06.040 isn't Jimmy, but is the John Greerholme. Would that be 3579 03:24:06.040 --> 03:24:09.280 a dreadful thing for me to do. It would take 3580 03:24:09.280 --> 03:24:12.840 a great deal of courage, I'd almost rather be miserable 3581 03:24:12.840 --> 03:24:16.559 for the rest of my life. This happened nearly two 3582 03:24:16.639 --> 03:24:18.520 months ago. I haven't heard a word from him since 3583 03:24:18.520 --> 03:24:21.879 he was here. I was just getting sort of acclimated 3584 03:24:21.879 --> 03:24:23.799 to the feeling of a broken heart when a letter 3585 03:24:23.840 --> 03:24:26.479 came from Julia that stirred me up all again. She 3586 03:24:26.559 --> 03:24:29.760 said very casually that Uncle Jervis had been caught out 3587 03:24:29.760 --> 03:24:31.440 all night in a storm when he was hunting in 3588 03:24:31.479 --> 03:24:34.639 Canada and had been ill ever since with pneumonia, and 3589 03:24:34.719 --> 03:24:37.479 I never knew it. I was feeling hurt because he 3590 03:24:37.479 --> 03:24:41.159 had just disappeared into blankness without a word. I think 3591 03:24:41.200 --> 03:24:45.440 he's pretty unhappy, and I know I am what seems 3592 03:24:45.479 --> 03:24:48.680 to you the right thing for me to do. Judy, 3593 03:24:51.559 --> 03:24:54.840 sixth October, Dear Daddy long Legs, Yes, certainly, I'll come 3594 03:24:55.079 --> 03:24:57.920 at half past four next Wednesday afternoon. Of course I 3595 03:24:57.920 --> 03:25:00.000 can find the way. I've been in New York three times, 3596 03:25:00.319 --> 03:25:02.920 and I'm not quite a baby. I can't believe that 3597 03:25:02.959 --> 03:25:06.079 I'm really going to see you. I've been just thinking 3598 03:25:06.120 --> 03:25:07.879 of you so long that it hardly seems as though 3599 03:25:07.879 --> 03:25:11.040 you are a tangible, flesh and blood person. You are 3600 03:25:11.079 --> 03:25:13.360 awfully good daddy to bother yourself with me when you're 3601 03:25:13.360 --> 03:25:16.879 not strong. Take care and don't catch cold. These fall 3602 03:25:16.959 --> 03:25:22.319 rains are very damp. Affectionately, Judy, yes, I've just had 3603 03:25:22.360 --> 03:25:25.639 an awful thought. Have you a butler? I'm afraid of 3604 03:25:25.680 --> 03:25:27.600 butler's and if one opens the door, I shall faint 3605 03:25:27.680 --> 03:25:30.000 upon the step. What can I say to him? You 3606 03:25:30.040 --> 03:25:33.120 didn't tell me your name? Shall I ask for mister Smith? 3607 03:25:35.920 --> 03:25:42.200 Thursday morning, my very dearest master Jervy, Daddy long legs 3608 03:25:42.280 --> 03:25:47.840 Pendleton Smith. Did you sleep last night? I didn't, not 3609 03:25:47.920 --> 03:25:50.520 a single wink. I was too amazed and excited and 3610 03:25:50.600 --> 03:25:54.319 bewildered and happy. I don't believe I shall ever sleep 3611 03:25:54.360 --> 03:25:58.959 again or eat either, But I hope you slept. You must, 3612 03:25:59.040 --> 03:26:02.040 you know, because then you will get well faster and 3613 03:26:02.120 --> 03:26:05.399 can come to me. Dear man, I can't bear to 3614 03:26:05.440 --> 03:26:07.959 think how ill you've been, and all the time I 3615 03:26:08.000 --> 03:26:10.559 never knew it. When the doctor came down yesterday to 3616 03:26:10.559 --> 03:26:11.959 put me in the cab, he told me that for 3617 03:26:12.000 --> 03:26:15.000 three days they gave you up. Oh dearest, if that 3618 03:26:15.079 --> 03:26:16.799 had happened, the light would have gone out of the 3619 03:26:16.879 --> 03:26:20.520 world for me. I suppose that someday in the far future, 3620 03:26:20.559 --> 03:26:22.760 one of us must leave the other. But at least 3621 03:26:22.840 --> 03:26:24.760 we shall have had our happiness, and there will be 3622 03:26:24.799 --> 03:26:28.479 memories to live with. I meant to cheer you up, 3623 03:26:28.760 --> 03:26:31.959 and instead I have to cheer myself, for, in spite 3624 03:26:32.000 --> 03:26:34.200 of being happier than I ever dreamed I could be, 3625 03:26:34.399 --> 03:26:38.799 I'm also soberer. A fear that something may happen rests 3626 03:26:38.879 --> 03:26:41.920 like a shadow on my heart. Always before, I could 3627 03:26:41.920 --> 03:26:44.360 be frivolous and care free and unconcerned because I had 3628 03:26:44.360 --> 03:26:47.680 nothing precious to lose. But now I shall have a great, 3629 03:26:47.680 --> 03:26:51.000 big worry all the rest of my life. Whenever you 3630 03:26:51.040 --> 03:26:52.840 are away from me, I shall be thinking of all 3631 03:26:52.920 --> 03:26:56.200 the automobiles that can run you over, or the signboards 3632 03:26:56.200 --> 03:26:58.600 that can fall on your head, or the dreadful, squirmy 3633 03:26:58.680 --> 03:27:01.799 germs that you may be swallowed. My peace of mind 3634 03:27:01.879 --> 03:27:06.079 is gone forever. But anyway, I never cared much for 3635 03:27:06.239 --> 03:27:11.319 just plain thiefs. Please get well, fast, fast fast. I 3636 03:27:11.360 --> 03:27:13.000 want to have you close by where I can touch 3637 03:27:13.040 --> 03:27:16.879 you and make sure you're tangible. Such a little half 3638 03:27:16.959 --> 03:27:20.159 hour we had together. I'm afraid maybe I dreamed it. 3639 03:27:21.000 --> 03:27:23.120 If I were only a member of your family, a 3640 03:27:23.239 --> 03:27:26.920 very distant fourth cousin, then I could come and visit 3641 03:27:26.959 --> 03:27:28.920 you every day and read aloud, and plump up your 3642 03:27:28.959 --> 03:27:31.920 pillow and smooth out those two little wrinkles in your 3643 03:27:31.959 --> 03:27:34.879 forehead and make the corners of your mouth turn up 3644 03:27:34.920 --> 03:27:38.639 in a nice, cheerful smile. But you are cheerful again, 3645 03:27:38.680 --> 03:27:41.920 aren't you you were? Yesterday? Before I left, the doctor 3646 03:27:41.920 --> 03:27:43.799 said I must be a good nurse. The way you 3647 03:27:43.840 --> 03:27:47.520 look ten years younger. I hope that being in love 3648 03:27:47.559 --> 03:27:50.600 doesn't make everyone ten years younger. Will you still care 3649 03:27:50.639 --> 03:27:52.879 for me, darling, if I turn out to be only eleven. 3650 03:27:55.239 --> 03:27:58.440 Yesterday was the most wonderful day that could ever happen 3651 03:27:59.319 --> 03:28:01.639 if I lived, I mean ninety nine. I shall never 3652 03:28:01.680 --> 03:28:05.479 forget the tiniest detail. The girl that left lock Willow 3653 03:28:05.520 --> 03:28:07.680 at dawn was a very different person from the one 3654 03:28:07.680 --> 03:28:10.920 who came back at night. Missus Semple called me at 3655 03:28:10.920 --> 03:28:13.799 half past four. I started wide awake in the darkness, 3656 03:28:13.799 --> 03:28:15.799 and the first thought that popped into my head was 3657 03:28:16.120 --> 03:28:19.399 I'm going to see Daddy long Legs. I ate breakfast 3658 03:28:19.399 --> 03:28:22.200 in the kitchen by candlelight, then drove the five miles 3659 03:28:22.200 --> 03:28:25.959 to the station through the most glorious October coloring. The 3660 03:28:26.000 --> 03:28:28.079 sun came up on the way and the swamp maples 3661 03:28:28.079 --> 03:28:31.639 and dogwood glowed crimson and orange, and the stone walls 3662 03:28:31.639 --> 03:28:36.000 and cornfields sparkled with hoar frost. The air was keen 3663 03:28:36.159 --> 03:28:39.360 and clear and full of promise. I knew something was 3664 03:28:39.399 --> 03:28:41.840 going to happen all the way in the tray, and 3665 03:28:41.879 --> 03:28:44.840 the rails kept singing, You're going to see Daddy long legs. 3666 03:28:45.399 --> 03:28:48.360 It made me feel secure. I had such faith in 3667 03:28:48.440 --> 03:28:51.520 Daddy's ability to set things right. And I knew that 3668 03:28:51.600 --> 03:28:55.360 somewhere another man dearer than Daddy was wanting to see me. 3669 03:28:56.239 --> 03:28:58.680 And somehow I had a feeling that before the journey ended, 3670 03:28:58.719 --> 03:29:03.319 I should meet him too. And you see, when I 3671 03:29:03.360 --> 03:29:05.319 came to the house on Madison Avenue, it looked so 3672 03:29:05.440 --> 03:29:08.280 big and brown and forbidding that I didn't dare go in, 3673 03:29:08.879 --> 03:29:11.079 So I walked round the block to get at my courage. 3674 03:29:11.920 --> 03:29:14.360 But I needn't have been afraid. Your butler is such 3675 03:29:14.360 --> 03:29:16.600 a nice, fatherly old man that he made me feel 3676 03:29:16.639 --> 03:29:20.000 at home at once. Is this miss Abbott, he said 3677 03:29:20.040 --> 03:29:22.440 to me, and I said yes, So I didn't have 3678 03:29:22.479 --> 03:29:25.879 to ask for mister Smith after all. He told me 3679 03:29:25.920 --> 03:29:27.959 to wait in the drawing room. It was a very 3680 03:29:28.000 --> 03:29:32.000 somber magnificent man sort of room. I sat down on 3681 03:29:32.040 --> 03:29:34.280 the edge of a big upholstered chair and kept saying 3682 03:29:34.319 --> 03:29:36.920 to myself, I'm going to see Daddy long legs. I'm 3683 03:29:36.959 --> 03:29:40.959 going to see Daddy long legs. Then presently the man 3684 03:29:41.000 --> 03:29:43.360 came back and asked me please to step up to 3685 03:29:43.399 --> 03:29:46.360 the library. I was so excited that really and truly 3686 03:29:46.399 --> 03:29:49.600 my feet would hardly take me up outside the door. 3687 03:29:49.680 --> 03:29:52.920 He turned and whispered, he's been very illness. This is 3688 03:29:52.920 --> 03:29:55.200 the first day he's been allowed to sit up. You'll 3689 03:29:55.239 --> 03:29:58.239 not stay long enough to excite him. I knew from 3690 03:29:58.280 --> 03:30:00.120 the way he said it that he loved you, and 3691 03:30:00.200 --> 03:30:04.000 I think he's an old deer. Then he knocked and 3692 03:30:04.040 --> 03:30:07.680 said miss Abbott, and I went in and the door 3693 03:30:07.719 --> 03:30:11.079 closed behind me. It was so dim coming in from 3694 03:30:11.079 --> 03:30:13.520 the brightly lighted hall that for a moment I could 3695 03:30:13.520 --> 03:30:17.200 scarcely make out anything. Then I saw a big easy 3696 03:30:17.280 --> 03:30:20.200 chair before the fire, and a shining tea table with 3697 03:30:20.280 --> 03:30:23.319 a smaller chair beside it, and I realized that a 3698 03:30:23.360 --> 03:30:25.840 man was sitting in the big chair, propped up by pillows, 3699 03:30:25.840 --> 03:30:29.159 with a runck over his knees. Before I could stop him, 3700 03:30:29.159 --> 03:30:32.520 he rose rather shakily and steadied himself by the back 3701 03:30:32.520 --> 03:30:35.280 of the chair and just looked at me without a word. 3702 03:30:36.399 --> 03:30:40.920 And then and then I saw it was you. But 3703 03:30:41.040 --> 03:30:44.000 even then I didn't understand. I thought Daddy had had 3704 03:30:44.079 --> 03:30:47.600 you come there to meet me for a surprise. Then 3705 03:30:47.639 --> 03:30:49.680 you laughed and held up your hand and said, dear 3706 03:30:49.760 --> 03:30:52.959 little Judy, couldn't you guess that I was Daddy long legs? 3707 03:30:54.639 --> 03:30:58.120 In an instant, it flashed over me. Oh but I 3708 03:30:58.200 --> 03:31:01.719 have been stupid. A hundreds of little things might have 3709 03:31:01.799 --> 03:31:04.840 told me if I'd had any wits, I wouldn't make 3710 03:31:04.840 --> 03:31:08.959 a very good detective, would I? Daddy Jervy? What must 3711 03:31:08.959 --> 03:31:12.360 I call you? Just plain Jervy sounds disrespectful, and I 3712 03:31:12.440 --> 03:31:17.000 can't be disrespectful to you. It was a very sweet 3713 03:31:17.000 --> 03:31:19.280 half hour before your doctor came and sent me away. 3714 03:31:20.239 --> 03:31:22.040 I was so dazed when I got to the station 3715 03:31:22.159 --> 03:31:25.000 that I almost took a train for Saint Louis. And 3716 03:31:25.040 --> 03:31:27.399 you were pretty dazed too. You forgot to give me 3717 03:31:27.440 --> 03:31:32.000 any tea. But we're both very very happy, aren't we. 3718 03:31:32.760 --> 03:31:35.120 I drove back to Lockwillow in the dark, but oh 3719 03:31:35.120 --> 03:31:38.079 how the stars were shining. And this morning I've been 3720 03:31:38.120 --> 03:31:40.840 out with Colin, visiting all the places that you and 3721 03:31:40.879 --> 03:31:43.680 I went to together, and remembering what you said and how 3722 03:31:43.719 --> 03:31:47.200 you looked. The woods to dare burnished bronze, and the 3723 03:31:47.280 --> 03:31:52.239 air is full of frost. It's climbing weather. I wish 3724 03:31:52.239 --> 03:31:54.920 you were here to climb the hills with me. I'm 3725 03:31:54.959 --> 03:31:58.559 missing you dreadfully, Jervy dear, but it's a happy kind 3726 03:31:58.559 --> 03:32:02.799 of missing. Will be together soon. We belong to each 3727 03:32:02.799 --> 03:32:07.920 other now, really and truly, no make believe. Doesn't it 3728 03:32:07.959 --> 03:32:10.639 seem queer for me to belong to someone at last? 3729 03:32:11.959 --> 03:32:17.399 It seems very very sweet. And I shall never let 3730 03:32:17.440 --> 03:32:24.760 you be sorry for a single instant. Yours forever and ever, Judy. 3731 03:32:28.399 --> 03:32:31.760 End of Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster