TOYOU
BlueWednesdayThefirstWednesdayineverymonthwasaPerfectlyAwfulDay——adaytobeawaitedwithdread，enduredwithcourageandforgottenwithhaste。
Everyfloormustbespotless，everychairdustless，andeverybedwithoutawrinkle。Ninety-sevensquirminglittleorphansmustbescrubbedandcombedandbuttonedintofreshlystarchedginghams;
andallninety-sevenremindedoftheirmanners，andtoldtosay，`Yes，sir，’`No，sir，’wheneveraTrusteespoke。
Itwasadistressingtime;andpoorJerushaAbbott，beingtheoldestorphan，hadtobearthebruntofit。ButthisparticularfirstWednesday，likeitspredecessors，finallydraggeditselftoaclose。Jerushaescapedfromthepantrywhereshehadbeenmakingsandwichesfortheasylum’sguests，andturnedupstairstoaccomplishherregularwork。HerspecialcarewasroomF，whereelevenlittletots，fromfourtoseven，occupiedelevenlittlecotssetinarow。Jerushaassembledhercharges，straightenedtheirrumpledfrocks，wipedtheirnoses，andstartedtheminanorderlyandwillinglinetowardsthedining-roomtoengagethemselvesforablessedhalfhourwithbreadandmilkandprunepudding。
Thenshedroppeddownonthewindowseatandleanedthrobbingtemplesagainstthecoolglass。Shehadbeenonherfeetsincefivethatmorning，doingeverybody’sbidding，scoldedandhurriedbyanervousmatron。
Mrs。Lippett，behindthescenes，didnotalwaysmaintainthatcalmandpompousdignitywithwhichshefacedanaudienceofTrusteesandladyvisitors。Jerushagazedoutacrossabroadstretchoffrozenlawn，beyondthetallironpalingthatmarkedtheconfinesoftheasylum，downundulatingridgessprinkledwithcountryestates，tothespiresofthevillagerisingfromthemidstofbaretrees。
Thedaywasended——quitesuccessfully，sofarassheknew。
TheTrusteesandthevisitingcommitteehadmadetheirrounds，andreadtheirreports，anddrunktheirtea，andnowwerehurryinghometotheirowncheerfulfiresides，toforgettheirbothersomelittlechargesforanothermonth。Jerushaleanedforwardwatchingwithcuriosity——andatouchofwistfulness——thestreamofcarriagesandautomobilesthatrolledoutoftheasylumgates。
Inimaginationshefollowedfirstoneequipage，thenanother，tothebighousesdottedalongthehillside。Shepicturedherselfinafurcoatandavelvethattrimmedwithfeathersleaningbackintheseatandnonchalantlymurmuring`Home’tothedriver。
Butonthedoor-sillofherhomethepicturegrewblurred。
Jerushahadanimagination——animagination，Mrs。Lippetttoldher，thatwouldgetherintotroubleifshedidn’ttakecare——butkeenasitwas，itcouldnotcarryherbeyondthefrontporchofthehousesshewouldenter。Poor，eager，adventurouslittleJerusha，inallherseventeenyears，hadneversteppedinsideanordinaryhouse;
shecouldnotpicturethedailyroutineofthoseotherhumanbeingswhocarriedontheirlivesundiscommodedbyorphans。
Je-ru-shaAb-bottYouarewan-tedIntheof-fice，AndIthinkyou’dBetterhurryup！
TommyDillon，whohadjoinedthechoir，camesingingupthestairsanddownthecorridor，hischantgrowinglouderasheapproachedroomF。Jerushawrenchedherselffromthewindowandrefacedthetroublesoflife。
`Whowantsme？’shecutintoTommy’schantwithanoteofsharpanxiety。
Mrs。Lippettintheoffice，AndIthinkshe’smad。
Ah-a-men！
Tommypiouslyintoned，buthisaccentwasnotentirelymalicious。
Eventhemosthardenedlittleorphanfeltsympathyforanerringsisterwhowassummonedtotheofficetofaceanannoyedmatron;
andTommylikedJerushaevenifshedidsometimesjerkhimbythearmandnearlyscrubhisnoseoff。
Jerushawentwithoutcomment，butwithtwoparallellinesonherbrow。
Whatcouldhavegonewrong，shewondered。Werethesandwichesnotthinenough？Werethereshellsinthenutcakes？HadaladyvisitorseentheholeinSusieHawthorn’sstocking？Had——Ohorrors！——
oneofthecherubiclittlebabesinherownroomF`sauced’aTrustee？
Thelonglowerhallhadnotbeenlighted，andasshecamedownstairs，alastTrusteestood，onthepointofdeparture，intheopendoorthatledtotheporte-cochere。Jerushacaughtonlyafleetingimpressionoftheman——andtheimpressionconsistedentirelyoftallness。
Hewaswavinghisarmtowardsanautomobilewaitinginthecurveddrive。
Asitsprangintomotionandapproached，headonforaninstant，theglaringheadlightsthrewhisshadowsharplyagainstthewallinside。
Theshadowpicturedgrotesquelyelongatedlegsandarmsthatranalongthefloorandupthewallofthecorridor。Itlooked，foralltheworld，likeahuge，waveringdaddy-long-legs。
Jerusha’sanxiousfrowngaveplacetoquicklaughter。Shewasbynatureasunnysoul，andhadalwayssnatchedthetiniestexcusetobeamused。
IfonecouldderiveanysortofentertainmentoutoftheoppressivefactofaTrustee，itwassomethingunexpectedtothegood。
Sheadvancedtotheofficequitecheeredbythetinyepisode，andpresentedasmilingfacetoMrs。Lippett。Tohersurprisethematronwasalso，ifnotexactlysmiling，atleastappreciablyaffable;
sheworeanexpressionalmostaspleasantastheoneshedonnedforvisitors。
`Sitdown，Jerusha，Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。’Jerushadroppedintothenearestchairandwaitedwithatouchofbreathlessness。
Anautomobileflashedpastthewindow;Mrs。Lippettglancedafterit。
`Didyounoticethegentlemanwhohasjustgone？’
`Isawhisback。’
`HeisoneofourmostaffluentialTrustees，andhasgivenlargesumsofmoneytowardstheasylum’ssupport。Iamnotatlibertytomentionhisname;heexpresslystipulatedthathewastoremainunknown。’
Jerusha’seyeswidenedslightly;shewasnotaccustomedtobeingsummonedtotheofficetodiscusstheeccentricitiesofTrusteeswiththematron。
`Thisgentlemanhastakenaninterestinseveralofourboys。
YourememberCharlesBentonandHenryFreize？TheywerebothsentthroughcollegebyMr。——er——thisTrustee，andbothhaverepaidwithhardworkandsuccessthemoneythatwassogenerouslyexpended。
Otherpaymentthegentlemandoesnotwish。Heretoforehisphilanthropieshavebeendirectedsolelytowardstheboys;
Ihaveneverbeenabletointeresthimintheslightestdegreeinanyofthegirlsintheinstitution，nomatterhowdeserving。
Hedoesnot，Imaytellyou，careforgirls。’
`No，ma’am，’Jerushamurmured，sincesomereplyseemedtobeexpectedatthispoint。
`To-dayattheregularmeeting，thequestionofyourfuturewasbroughtup。’
Mrs。Lippettallowedamomentofsilencetofall，thenresumedinaslow，placidmannerextremelytryingtoherhearer’ssuddenlytightenednerves。
`Usually，asyouknow，thechildrenarenotkeptaftertheyaresixteen，butanexceptionwasmadeinyourcase。Youhadfinishedourschoolatfourteen，andhavingdonesowellinyourstudies——notalways，Imustsay，inyourconduct——itwasdeterminedtoletyougooninthevillagehighschool。Nowyouarefinishingthat，andofcoursetheasylumcannotberesponsibleanylongerforyoursupport。
Asitis，youhavehadtwoyearsmorethanmost。’
Mrs。LippettoverlookedthefactthatJerushahadworkedhardforherboardduringthosetwoyears，thattheconvenienceoftheasylumhadcomefirstandhereducationsecond;
thatondayslikethepresentshewaskeptathometoscrub。
`AsIsay，thequestionofyourfuturewasbroughtupandyourrecordwasdiscussed——thoroughlydiscussed。’
Mrs。Lippettbroughtaccusingeyestobearupontheprisonerinthedock，andtheprisonerlookedguiltybecauseitseemedtobeexpected——
notbecauseshecouldrememberanystrikinglyblackpagesinherrecord。
`Ofcoursetheusualdispositionofoneinyourplacewouldbetoputyouinapositionwhereyoucouldbegintowork，butyouhavedonewellinschoolincertainbranches;itseemsthatyourworkinEnglishhasevenbeenbrilliant。MissPritchard，whoisonourvisitingcommittee，isalsoontheschoolboard;shehasbeentalkingwithyourrhetoricteacher，andmadeaspeechinyourfavour。
Shealsoreadaloudanessaythatyouhadwrittenentitled，\"BlueWednesday\"。’
Jerusha’sguiltyexpressionthistimewasnotassumed。
`Itseemedtomethatyoushowedlittlegratitudeinholdinguptoridiculetheinstitutionthathasdonesomuchforyou。HadyounotmanagedtobefunnyIdoubtifyouwouldhavebeenforgiven。
Butfortunatelyforyou，Mr。——，thatis，thegentlemanwhohasjustgone——appearstohaveanimmoderatesenseofhumour。
Onthestrengthofthatimpertinentpaper，hehasofferedtosendyoutocollege。’
`Tocollege？’Jerusha’seyesgrewbig。Mrs。Lippettnodded。
`Hewaitedtodiscussthetermswithme。Theyareunusual。
Thegentleman，Imaysay，iserratic。Hebelievesthatyouhaveoriginality，andheisplanningtoeducateyoutobecomeawriter。’
`Awriter？’Jerusha’smindwasnumbed。ShecouldonlyrepeatMrs。
Lippett’swords。
`Thatishiswish。Whetheranythingwillcomeofit，thefuturewillshow。Heisgivingyouaveryliberalallowance，almost，foragirlwhohasneverhadanyexperienceintakingcareofmoney，tooliberal。
Butheplannedthematterindetail，andIdidnotfeelfreetomakeanysuggestions。Youaretoremainherethroughthesummer，andMissPritchardhaskindlyofferedtosuperintendyouroutfit。
Yourboardandtuitionwillbepaiddirectlytothecollege，andyouwillreceiveinadditionduringthefouryearsyouarethere，anallowanceofthirty-fivedollarsamonth。Thiswillenableyoutoenteronthesamestandingastheotherstudents。Themoneywillbesenttoyoubythegentleman’sprivatesecretaryonceamonth，andinreturn，youwillwritealetterofacknowledgmentonceamonth。
Thatis——youarenottothankhimforthemoney;hedoesn’tcaretohavethatmentioned，butyouaretowritealettertellingoftheprogressinyourstudiesandthedetailsofyourdailylife。
Justsuchaletterasyouwouldwritetoyourparentsiftheywereliving。
`TheseletterswillbeaddressedtoMr。JohnSmithandwillbesentincareofthesecretary。Thegentleman’snameisnotJohnSmith，buthepreferstoremainunknown。ToyouhewillneverbeanythingbutJohnSmith。Hisreasoninrequiringthelettersisthathethinksnothingsofostersfacilityinliteraryexpressionasletter-writing。Sinceyouhavenofamilywithwhomtocorrespond，hedesiresyoutowriteinthisway;also，hewishestokeeptrackofyourprogress。Hewillneveransweryourletters，norintheslightestparticulartakeanynoticeofthem。
Hedetestsletter-writinganddoesnotwishyoutobecomeaburden。
Ifanypointshouldeverarisewhereananswerwouldseemtobeimperative——suchasintheeventofyourbeingexpelled，whichItrustwillnotoccur——youmaycorrespondwithMr。Griggs，hissecretary。Thesemonthlylettersareabsolutelyobligatoryonyourpart;theyaretheonlypaymentthatMr。Smithrequires，soyoumustbeaspunctiliousinsendingthemasthoughitwereabillthatyouwerepaying。Ihopethattheywillalwaysberespectfulintoneandwillreflectcreditonyourtraining。
YoumustrememberthatyouarewritingtoaTrusteeoftheJohnGrierHome。’
Jerusha’seyeslonginglysoughtthedoor。Herheadwasinawhirlofexcitement，andshewishedonlytoescapefromMrs。Lippett’splatitudesandthink。Sheroseandtookatentativestepbackwards。
Mrs。Lippettdetainedherwithagesture;itwasanoratoricalopportunitynottobeslighted。
`Itrustthatyouareproperlygratefulforthisveryraregoodfortunethathasbefallenyou？Notmanygirlsinyourpositioneverhavesuchanopportunitytoriseintheworld。Youmustalwaysremember——’
`I——yes，ma’am，thankyou。Ithink，ifthat’sall，ImustgoandsewapatchonFreddiePerkins’strousers。’
Thedoorclosedbehindher，andMrs。Lippettwatcheditwithdroppedjaw，herperorationinmid-air。
TheLettersofMissJerushaAbbotttoMr。Daddy-Long-LegsSmith215FERGUSSENHALL
24thSeptemberDearKind-Trustee-Who-Sends-Orphans-to-College，HereIam！Itravelledyesterdayforfourhoursinatrain。
It’safunnysensation，isn’tit？Ineverrodeinonebefore。
Collegeisthebiggest，mostbewilderingplace——IgetlostwheneverIleavemyroom。IwillwriteyouadescriptionlaterwhenI’mfeelinglessmuddled;alsoIwilltellyouaboutmylessons。
Classesdon’tbeginuntilMondaymorning，andthisisSaturdaynight。
ButIwantedtowritealetterfirstjusttogetacquainted。
Itseemsqueertobewritingletterstosomebodyyoudon’tknow。
Itseemsqueerformetobewritinglettersatall——I’veneverwrittenmorethanthreeorfourinmylife，sopleaseoverlookitifthesearenotamodelkind。
Beforeleavingyesterdaymorning，Mrs。LippettandIhadaveryserioustalk。Shetoldmehowtobehavealltherestofmylife，andespeciallyhowtobehavetowardsthekindgentlemanwhoisdoingsomuchforme。ImusttakecaretobeVeryRespectful。
ButhowcanonebeveryrespectfultoapersonwhowishestobecalledJohnSmith？Whycouldn’tyouhavepickedoutanamewithalittlepersonality？
ImightaswellwriteletterstoDearHitching-PostorDearClothes-Prop。
Ihavebeenthinkingaboutyouagreatdealthissummer;havingsomebodytakeaninterestinmeafteralltheseyearsmakesmefeelasthoughIhadfoundasortoffamily。ItseemsasthoughI
belongedtosomebodynow，andit’saverycomfortablesensation。
Imustsay，however，thatwhenIthinkaboutyou，myimaginationhasverylittletoworkupon。TherearejustthreethingsthatIknow：
I。Youaretall。
II。Youarerich。
III。Youhategirls。
IsupposeImightcallyouDearMr。Girl-Hater。Onlythat’sratherinsultingtome。OrDearMr。Rich-Man，butthat’sinsultingtoyou，asthoughmoneyweretheonlyimportantthingaboutyou。
Besides，beingrichissuchaveryexternalquality。Maybeyouwon’tstayrichallyourlife;lotsofveryclevermengetsmashedupinWallStreet。Butatleastyouwillstaytallallyourlife！
SoI’vedecidedtocallyouDearDaddy-Long-Legs。Ihopeyouwon’tmind。
It’sjustaprivatepetnamewewon’ttellMrs。Lippett。
Theteno’clockbellisgoingtoringintwominutes。Ourdayisdividedintosectionsbybells。Weeatandsleepandstudybybells。
It’sveryenlivening;Ifeellikeafirehorseallofthetime。
Thereitgoes！Lightsout。Goodnight。
ObservewithwhatprecisionIobeyrules——duetomytrainingintheJohnGrierHome。
Yoursmostrespectfully，JerushaAbbottToMr。Daddy-Long-LegsSmith1stOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，IlovecollegeandIloveyouforsendingme——I’mvery，veryhappy，andsoexcitedeverymomentofthetimethatIcanscarcelysleep。
Youcan’timaginehowdifferentitisfromtheJohnGrierHome。
Ineverdreamedtherewassuchaplaceintheworld。I’mfeelingsorryforeverybodywhoisn’tagirlandwhocan’tcomehere;Iamsurethecollegeyouattendedwhenyouwereaboycouldn’thavebeensonice。
Myroomisupinatowerthatusedtobethecontagiouswardbeforetheybuiltthenewinfirmary。Therearethreeothergirlsonthesamefloorofthetower——aSeniorwhowearsspectaclesandisalwaysaskinguspleasetobealittlemorequiet，andtwoFreshmennamedSallieMcBrideandJuliaRutledgePendleton。
Salliehasredhairandaturn-upnoseandisquitefriendly;
JuliacomesfromoneofthefirstfamiliesinNewYorkandhasn’tnoticedmeyet。TheyroomtogetherandtheSeniorandIhavesingles。
UsuallyFreshmencan’tgetsingles;theyareveryscarce，butIgotonewithoutevenasking。Isupposetheregistrardidn’tthinkitwouldberighttoaskaproperlybrought-upgirltoroomwithafoundling。
Youseethereareadvantages！
Myroomisonthenorth-westcornerwithtwowindowsandaview。
Afteryou’velivedinawardforeighteenyearswithtwentyroom-mates，itisrestfultobealone。ThisisthefirstchanceI’veeverhadtogetacquaintedwithJerushaAbbott。IthinkI’mgoingtolikeher。
Doyouthinkyouare？
TuesdayTheyareorganizingtheFreshmanbasket-ballteamandthere’sjustachancethatIshallgetinit。I’mlittleofcourse，butterriblyquickandwiryandtough。Whiletheothersarehoppingaboutintheair，Icandodgeundertheirfeetandgrabtheball。
It’sloadsoffunpractising——outintheathleticfieldintheafternoonwiththetreesallredandyellowandtheairfullofthesmellofburningleaves，andeverybodylaughingandshouting。
ThesearethehappiestgirlsIeversaw——andIamthehappiestofall！
ImeanttowritealongletterandtellyouallthethingsI’mlearning（Mrs。Lippettsaidyouwantedtoknow），but7thhourhasjustrung，andintenminutesI’mdueattheathleticfieldingymnasiumclothes。
Don’tyouhopeI’llgetintheteam？
Yoursalways，JerushaAbbottPS。（9o’clock。）
SallieMcBridejustpokedherheadinatmydoor。Thisiswhatshesaid：
`I’msohomesickthatIsimplycan’tstandit。Doyoufeelthatway？’
Ismiledalittleandsaidno;IthoughtIcouldpullthrough。
AtleasthomesicknessisonediseasethatI’veescaped！Ineverheardofanybodybeingasylum-sick，didyou？
10thOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，DidyoueverhearofMichaelAngelo？
HewasafamousartistwholivedinItalyintheMiddleAges。
EverybodyinEnglishLiteratureseemedtoknowabouthim，andthewholeclasslaughedbecauseIthoughthewasanarchangel。Hesoundslikeanarchangel，doesn’the？Thetroublewithcollegeisthatyouareexpectedtoknowsuchalotofthingsyou’veneverlearned。
It’sveryembarrassingattimes。Butnow，whenthegirlstalkaboutthingsthatIneverheardof，Ijustkeepstillandlookthemupintheencyclopedia。
Imadeanawfulmistakethefirstday。SomebodymentionedMauriceMaeterlinck，andIaskedifshewasaFreshman。
Thatjokehasgoneallovercollege。Butanyway，I’mjustasbrightinclassasanyoftheothers——andbrighterthansomeofthem！
DoyoucaretoknowhowI’vefurnishedmyroom？It’sasymphonyinbrownandyellow。Thewallwastintedbuff，andI’veboughtyellowdenimcurtainsandcushionsandamahoganydesk（secondhandforthreedollars）andarattanchairandabrownrugwithaninkspotinthemiddle。Istandthechairoverthespot。
Thewindowsareuphigh;youcan’tlookoutfromanordinaryseat。
ButIunscrewedthelooking-glassfromthebackofthebureau，upholsteredthetopandmoveditupagainstthewindow。It’sjusttherightheightforawindowseat。Youpulloutthedrawerslikestepsandwalkup。Verycomfortable！
SallieMcBridehelpedmechoosethethingsattheSeniorauction。
Shehaslivedinahouseallherlifeandknowsaboutfurnishing。
Youcan’timaginewhatfunitistoshopandpaywitharealfive-dollarbillandgetsomechange——whenyou’veneverhadmorethanafewcentsinyourlife。Iassureyou，Daddydear，Idoappreciatethatallowance。
Sallieisthemostentertainingpersonintheworld——andJuliaRutledgePendletontheleastso。It’squeerwhatamixturetheregistrarcanmakeinthematterofroom-mates。Salliethinkseverythingisfunny——evenflunking——andJuliaisboredateverything。
Shenevermakestheslightestefforttobeamiable。ShebelievesthatifyouareaPendleton，thatfactaloneadmitsyoutoheavenwithoutanyfurtherexamination。JuliaandIwereborntobeenemies。
AndnowIsupposeyou’vebeenwaitingveryimpatientlytohearwhatIamlearning？
I。Latin：SecondPunicwar。HannibalandhisforcespitchedcampatLakeTrasimenuslastnight。TheypreparedanambuscadefortheRomans，andabattletookplaceatthefourthwatchthismorning。
Romansinretreat。
II。French：24pagesoftheThreeMusketeersandthirdconjugation，irregularverbs。
III。Geometry：Finishedcylinders;nowdoingcones。
IV。English：Studyingexposition。Mystyleimprovesdailyinclearnessandbrevity。
V。Physiology：Reachedthedigestivesystem。Bileandthepancreasnexttime。Yours，onthewaytobeingeducated，JerushaAbbottPS。Ihopeyounevertouchalcohol，Daddy？Itdoesdreadfulthingstoyourliver。
WednesdayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，I’vechangedmyname。
I’mstill`Jerusha’inthecatalogue，butI’m`Judy’everywhereelse。
It’sreallytoobad，isn’tit，tohavetogiveyourselftheonlypetnameyoueverhad？Ididn’tquitemakeuptheJudythough。
That’swhatFreddyPerkinsusedtocallmebeforehecouldtalkplainly。
IwishMrs。Lippettwouldusealittlemoreingenuityaboutchoosingbabies’names。Shegetsthelastnamesoutofthetelephonebook——
you’llfindAbbottonthefirstpage——andshepickstheChristiannamesupanywhere;shegotJerushafromatombstone。I’vealwayshatedit;butIratherlikeJudy。It’ssuchasillyname。
ItbelongstothekindofgirlI’mnot——asweetlittleblue-eyedthing，pettedandspoiledbyallthefamily，whorompsherwaythroughlifewithoutanycares。Wouldn’titbenicetobelikethat？
WhateverfaultsImayhave，noonecaneveraccusemeofhavingbeenspoiledbymyfamily！Butit’sgreatfuntopretendI’vebeen。
InthefuturepleasealwaysaddressmeasJudy。
Doyouwanttoknowsomething？Ihavethreepairsofkidgloves。
I’vehadkidmittensbeforefromtheChristmastree，butneverrealkidgloveswithfivefingers。Itakethemoutandtrythemoneverylittlewhile。It’sallIcandonottowearthemtoclasses。
（Dinnerbell。Goodbye。）
FridayWhatdoyouthink，Daddy？TheEnglishinstructorsaidthatmylastpapershowsanunusualamountoforiginality。Shedid，truly。
Thosewereherwords。Itdoesn’tseempossible，doesit，consideringtheeighteenyearsoftrainingthatI’vehad？TheaimoftheJohnGrierHome（asyoudoubtlessknowandheartilyapproveof）
istoturntheninety-sevenorphansintoninety-seventwins。
TheunusualartisticabilitywhichIexhibitwasdevelopedatanearlyagethroughdrawingchalkpicturesofMrs。Lippettonthewoodsheddoor。
IhopethatIdon’thurtyourfeelingswhenIcriticizethehomeofmyyouth？Butyouhavetheupperhand，youknow，forifIbecometooimpertinent，youcanalwaysstoppaymentofyourcheques。
Thatisn’taverypolitethingtosay——butyoucan’texpectmetohaveanymanners;afoundlingasylumisn’tayoungladies’
finishingschool。
Youknow，Daddy，itisn’ttheworkthatisgoingtobehardincollege。
It’stheplay。HalfthetimeIdon’tknowwhatthegirlsaretalkingabout;theirjokesseemtorelatetoapastthateveryonebutmehasshared。I’maforeignerintheworldandIdon’tunderstandthelanguage。It’samiserablefeeling。I’vehaditallmylife。
Atthehighschoolthegirlswouldstandingroupsandjustlookatme。
Iwasqueeranddifferentandeverybodyknewit。IcouldFEEL
`JohnGrierHome’writtenonmyface。Andthenafewcharitableoneswouldmakeapointofcomingupandsayingsomethingpolite。
IHATEDEVERYONEOFTHEM——thecharitableonesmostofall。
NobodyhereknowsthatIwasbroughtupinanasylum。ItoldSallieMcBridethatmymotherandfatherweredead，andthatakindoldgentlemanwassendingmetocollegewhichisentirelytruesofarasitgoes。Idon’twantyoutothinkIamacoward，butIdowanttobeliketheothergirls，andthatDreadfulHomeloomingovermychildhoodistheonegreatbigdifference。
IfIcanturnmybackonthatandshutouttheremembrance，Ithink，Imightbejustasdesirableasanyothergirl。Idon’tbelievethere’sanyreal，underneathdifference，doyou？
Anyway，SallieMcBridelikesme！
Yoursever，JudyAbbott（NeeJerusha。）
SaturdaymorningI’vejustbeenreadingthisletteroveranditsoundsprettyun-cheerful。Butcan’tyouguessthatIhaveaspecialtopicdueMondaymorningandareviewingeometryandaverysneezycold？
SundayIforgottopostthisyesterday，soIwilladdanindignantpostscript。
Wehadabishopthismorning，andWHATDOYOUTHINKHESAID？
`ThemostbeneficentpromisemadeusintheBibleisthis，\"Thepooryehavealwayswithyou。\"Theywereputhereinordertokeepuscharitable。’
Thepoor，pleaseobserve，beingasortofusefuldomesticanimal。
IfIhadn’tgrownintosuchaperfectlady，IshouldhavegoneupafterserviceandtoldhimwhatIthought。
25thOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，I’minthebasket-ballteamandyououghttoseethebruiseonmyleftshoulder。It’sblueandmahoganywithlittlestreaksoforange。
JuliaPendletontriedfortheteam，butshedidn’tgetin。Hooray！
YouseewhatameandispositionIhave。
Collegegetsnicerandnicer。Ilikethegirlsandtheteachersandtheclassesandthecampusandthethingstoeat。Wehaveice-creamtwiceaweekandweneverhavecorn-mealmush。
Youonlywantedtohearfrommeonceamonth，didn’tyou？AndI’vebeenpepperingyouwithletterseveryfewdays！ButI’vebeensoexcitedaboutallthesenewadventuresthatIMUSTtalktosomebody;
andyou’retheonlyoneIknow。Pleaseexcusemyexuberance;
I’llsettleprettysoon。Ifmylettersboreyou，youcanalwaystossthemintothewastebasket。IpromisenottowriteanothertillthemiddleofNovember。
Yoursmostloquaciously，JudyAbbott15thNovemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，ListentowhatI’velearnedto-day。
Theareaoftheconvexsurfaceofthefrustumofaregularpyramidishalftheproductofthesumoftheperimetersofitsbasesbythealtitudeofeitherofitstrapezoids。
Itdoesn’tsoundtrue，butitis——Icanproveit！
You’veneverheardaboutmyclothes，haveyou，Daddy？Sixdresses，allnewandbeautifulandboughtforme——nothandeddownfromsomebodybigger。Perhapsyoudon’trealizewhataclimaxthatmarksinthecareerofanorphan？Yougavethemtome，andIamvery，very，VERYmuchobliged。It’safinethingtobeeducated——butnothingcomparedtothedizzyingexperienceofowningsixnewdresses。
MissPritchard，whoisonthevisitingcommittee，pickedthemout——
notMrs。Lippett，thankgoodness。Ihaveaneveningdress，pinkmulloversilk（I’mperfectlybeautifulinthat），andabluechurchdress，andadinnerdressofredveilingwithOrientaltrimming（makesmelooklikeaGipsy），andanotherofrose-colouredchallis，andagreystreetsuit，andanevery-daydressforclasses。
Thatwouldn’tbeanawfullybigwardrobeforJuliaRutledgePendleton，perhaps，butforJerushaAbbott——Oh，my！
Isupposeyou’rethinkingnowwhatafrivolous，shallowlittlebeastsheis，andwhatawasteofmoneytoeducateagirl？
But，Daddy，ifyou’dbeendressedincheckedginghamsallyourlife，you’dappreciatehowIfeel。AndwhenIstartedtothehighschool，Ientereduponanotherperiodevenworsethanthecheckedginghams。
Thepoorbox。
Youcan’tknowhowIdreadedappearinginschoolinthosemiserablepoor-boxdresses。Iwasperfectlysuretobeputdowninclassnexttothegirlwhofirstownedmydress，andshewouldwhisperandgiggleandpointitouttotheothers。Thebitternessofwearingyourenemies’cast-offclotheseatsintoyoursoul。
IfIworesilkstockingsfortherestofmylife，Idon’tbelieveIcouldobliteratethescar。
LATESTWARBULLETIN！
NewsfromtheSceneofAction。
AtthefourthwatchonThursdaythe13thofNovember，HannibalroutedtheadvanceguardoftheRomansandledtheCarthaginianforcesoverthemountainsintotheplainsofCasilinum。AcohortoflightarmedNumidiansengagedtheinfantryofQuintusFabiusMaximus。
Twobattlesandlightskirmishing。Romansrepulsedwithheavylosses。
Ihavethehonourofbeing，Yourspecialcorrespondentfromthefront，J。AbbottPS。IknowI’mnottoexpectanylettersinreturn，andI’vebeenwarnednottobotheryouwithquestions，buttellme，Daddy，justthisonce——areyouawfullyoldorjustalittleold？Andareyouperfectlybaldorjustalittlebald？Itisverydifficultthinkingaboutyouintheabstractlikeatheoremingeometry。
Givenatallrichmanwhohatesgirls，butisverygeneroustoonequiteimpertinentgirl，whatdoeshelooklike？
R。S。V。P。
19thDecemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Youneveransweredmyquestionanditwasveryimportant。
AREYOUBALD？
Ihaveitplannedexactlywhatyoulooklike——verysatisfactorily——
untilIreachthetopofyourhead，andthenIAMstuck。Ican’tdecidewhetheryouhavewhitehairorblackhairorsortofsprinklygreyhairormaybenoneatall。
Hereisyourportrait：
Buttheproblemis，shallIaddsomehair？
Wouldyouliketoknowwhatcolouryoureyesare？They’regrey，andyoureyebrowsstickoutlikeaporchroof（beetling，they’recalledinnovels），andyourmouthisastraightlinewithatendencytoturndownatthecorners。Oh，yousee，Iknow！You’reasnappyoldthingwithatemper。
（Chapelbell。）
9。45p。m。
Ihaveanewunbreakablerule：never，nevertostudyatnightnomatterhowmanywrittenreviewsarecominginthemorning。Instead，Ireadjustplainbooks——Ihaveto，youknow，becausethereareeighteenblankyearsbehindme。Youwouldn’tbelieve，Daddy，whatanabyssofignorancemymindis;Iamjustrealizingthedepthsmyself。
Thethingsthatmostgirlswithaproperlyassortedfamilyandahomeandfriendsandalibraryknowbyabsorption，Ihaveneverheardof。
Forexample：
IneverreadMotherGooseorDavidCopperfieldorIvanhoeorCinderellaorBlueBeardorRobinsonCrusoeorJaneEyreorAliceinWonderlandorawordofRudyardKipling。Ididn’tknowthatHenrytheEighthwasmarriedmorethanonceorthatShelleywasapoet。
Ididn’tknowthatpeopleusedtobemonkeysandthattheGardenofEdenwasabeautifulmyth。Ididn’tknowthatR。L。S。stoodforRobertLouisStevensonorthatGeorgeEliotwasalady。
Ihadneverseenapictureofthe`MonaLisa’and（it’struebutyouwon’tbelieveit）IhadneverheardofSherlockHolmes。
Now，Iknowallofthesethingsandalotofothersbesides，butyoucanseehowmuchIneedtocatchup。Andoh，butit’sfun！
Ilookforwardalldaytoevening，andthenIputan`engaged’onthedoorandgetintomyniceredbathrobeandfurryslippersandpileallthecushionsbehindmeonthecouch，andlightthebrassstudentlampatmyelbow，andreadandreadandreadonebookisn’tenough。
Ihavefourgoingatonce。Justnow，they’reTennyson’spoemsandVanityFairandKipling’sPlainTalesand——don’tlaugh——LittleWomen。
IfindthatIamtheonlygirlincollegewhowasn’tbroughtuponLittleWomen。Ihaven’ttoldanybodythough（thatWOULDstampmeasqueer）。Ijustquietlywentandboughtitwith$1。12ofmylastmonth’sallowance;andthenexttimesomebodymentionspickledlimes，I’llknowwhatsheistalkingabout！
（Teno’clockbell。Thisisaveryinterruptedletter。）
SaturdaySir，Ihavethehonourtoreportfreshexplorationsinthefieldofgeometry。
OnFridaylastweabandonedourformerworksinparallelopipedsandproceededtotruncatedprisms。Wearefindingtheroadroughandveryuphill。
SundayTheChristmasholidaysbeginnextweekandthetrunksareup。
Thecorridorsaresofilledupthatyoucanhardlygetthrough，andeverybodyissobubblingoverwithexcitementthatstudyingisgettingleftout。I’mgoingtohaveabeautifultimeinvacation;
there’sanotherFreshmanwholivesinTexasstayingbehind，andweareplanningtotakelongwalksandifthere’sanyice——
learntoskate。Thenthereisstillthewholelibrarytoberead——
andthreeemptyweekstodoitin！
Goodbye，Daddy，Ihopethatyouarefeelingashappyasam。
Yoursever，JudyPS。Don’tforgettoanswermyquestion。Ifyoudon’twantthetroubleofwriting，haveyoursecretarytelegraph。Hecanjustsay：
Mr。Smithisquitebald，orMr。Smithisnotbald，orMr。Smithhaswhitehair。
Andyoucandeductthetwenty-fivecentsoutofmyallowance。
GoodbyetillJanuary——andamerryChristmas！
TowardstheendoftheChristmasvacation。
ExactdateunknownDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Isitsnowingwhereyouare？AlltheworldthatIseefrommytowerisdrapedinwhiteandtheflakesarecomingdownasbigaspop-corns。
It’slateafternoon——thesunisjustsetting（acoldyellowcolour）
behindsomecolderviolethills，andIamupinmywindowseatusingthelastlighttowritetoyou。
Yourfivegoldpieceswereasurprise！I’mnotusedtoreceivingChristmaspresents。Youhavealreadygivenmesuchlotsofthings——
everythingIhave，youknow——thatIdon’tquitefeelthatI
deserveextras。ButIlikethemjustthesame。DoyouwanttoknowwhatIboughtwithmymoney？
I。Asilverwatchinaleathercasetowearonmywristandgetmetorecitationsintime。
II。MatthewArnold’spoems。
III。Ahotwaterbottle。
IV。Asteamerrug。（Mytoweriscold。）
V。Fivehundredsheetsofyellowmanuscriptpaper。（I’mgoingtocommencebeinganauthorprettysoon。）
VI。Adictionaryofsynonyms。（Toenlargetheauthor’svocabulary。）
VII。（Idon’tmuchliketoconfessthislastitem，butIwill。）
Apairofsilkstockings。
Andnow，Daddy，neversayIdon’ttellall！
Itwasaverylowmotive，ifyoumustknowit，thatpromptedthesilkstockings。JuliaPendletoncomesintomyroomtodogeometry，andshesitscross-leggedonthecouchandwearssilkstockingseverynight。Butjustwait——assoonasshegetsbackfromvacationIshallgoinandsitonhercouchinmysilkstockings。Yousee，Daddy，themiserablecreaturethatIambutatleastI’mhonest;
andyouknewalready，frommyasylumrecord，thatIwasn’tperfect，didn’tyou？
Torecapitulate（that’sthewaytheEnglishinstructorbeginseveryothersentence），Iamverymuchobligedformysevenpresents。
I’mpretendingtomyselfthattheycameinaboxfrommyfamilyinCalifornia。Thewatchisfromfather，therugfrommother，thehotwaterbottlefromgrandmotherwhoisalwaysworryingforfearIshallcatchcoldinthisclimate——andtheyellowpaperfrommylittlebrotherHarry。MysisterIsabelgavemethesilkstockings，andAuntSusantheMatthewArnoldpoems;UncleHarry（littleHarryisnamedafterhim）gavemethedictionary。Hewantedtosendchocolates，butIinsistedonsynonyms。
Youdon’tobject，doyou，toplayingthepartofacompositefamily？
Andnow，shallItellyouaboutmyvacation，orareyouonlyinterestedinmyeducationassuch？Ihopeyouappreciatethedelicateshadeofmeaningin`assuch’。Itisthelatestadditiontomyvocabulary。
ThegirlfromTexasisnamedLeonoraFenton。（AlmostasfunnyasJerusha，isn’tit？）Ilikeher，butnotsomuchasSallieMcBride;
IshallneverlikeanyonesomuchasSallie——exceptyou。Imustalwayslikeyouthebestofall，becauseyou’remywholefamilyrolledintoone。LeonoraandIandtwoSophomoreshavewalked’crosscountryeverypleasantdayandexploredthewholeneighbourhood，dressedinshortskirtsandknitjacketsandcaps，andcarryingshinystickstowhackthingswith。Oncewewalkedintotown——fourmiles——
andstoppedatarestaurantwherethecollegegirlsgofordinner。
Broiledlobster（35cents），andfordessert，buckwheatcakesandmaplesyrup（15cents）。Nourishingandcheap。
Itwassuchalark！Especiallyforme，becauseitwassoawfullydifferentfromtheasylum——IfeellikeanescapedconvicteverytimeIleavethecampus。BeforeIthought，IstartedtotelltheotherswhatanexperienceIwashaving。ThecatwasalmostoutofthebagwhenIgrabbeditbyitstailandpulleditback。
It’sawfullyhardformenottotelleverythingIknow。I’maveryconfidingsoulbynature;ifIdidn’thaveyoutotellthingsto，I’dburst。
WehadamolassescandypulllastFridayevening，givenbythehousematronofFergussentotheleft-behindsintheotherhalls。
Thereweretwenty-twoofusaltogether，FreshmenandSophomoresandjuniorsandSeniorsallunitedinamicableaccord。Thekitchenishuge，withcopperpotsandkettleshanginginrowsonthestonewall——
thelittlestcasseroleamongthemaboutthesizeofawashboiler。
FourhundredgirlsliveinFergussen。Thechef，inawhitecapandapron，fetchedouttwenty-twootherwhitecapsandaprons——
Ican’timaginewherehegotsomany——andweallturnedourselvesintocooks。
Itwasgreatfun，thoughIhaveseenbettercandy。Whenitwasfinallyfinished，andourselvesandthekitchenandthedoor-knobsallthoroughlysticky，weorganizedaprocessionandstillinourcapsandaprons，eachcarryingabigforkorspoonorfryingpan，wemarchedthroughtheemptycorridorstotheofficers’parlour，wherehalf-a-dozenprofessorsandinstructorswerepassingatranquilevening。Weserenadedthemwithcollegesongsandofferedrefreshments。Theyacceptedpolitelybutdubiously。
Weleftthemsuckingchunksofmolassescandy，stickyandspeechless。
Soyousee，Daddy，myeducationprogresses！
Don’tyoureallythinkthatIoughttobeanartistinsteadofanauthor？
VacationwillbeoverintwodaysandIshallbegladtoseethegirlsagain。Mytowerisjustatriflelonely;whenninepeopleoccupyahousethatwasbuiltforfourhundred，theydorattlearoundabit。
Elevenpages——poorDaddy，youmustbetired！Imeantthistobejustashortlittlethank-younote——butwhenIgetstartedIseemtohaveareadypen。
Goodbye，andthankyouforthinkingofme——Ishouldbeperfectlyhappyexceptforonelittlethreateningcloudonthehorizon。
ExaminationscomeinFebruary。
Yourswithlove，JudyPS。Maybeitisn’tpropertosendlove？Ifitisn’t，pleaseexcuse。
ButImustlovesomebodyandthere’sonlyyouandMrs。Lippetttochoosebetween，soyousee——you’llHAVEtoputupwithit，Daddydear，becauseIcan’tloveher。
OntheEveDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Youshouldseethewaythiscollegeisstudying！We’veforgottenweeverhadavacation。Fifty-sevenirregularverbshaveIintroducedtomybraininthepastfourdays——I’monlyhopingthey’llstaytillafterexaminations。
Someofthegirlsselltheirtext-bookswhenthey’rethroughwiththem，butIintendtokeepmine。ThenafterI’vegraduatedIshallhavemywholeeducationinarowinthebookcase，andwhenIneedtouseanydetail，Icanturntoitwithouttheslightesthesitation。
Somucheasierandmoreaccuratethantryingtokeepitinyourhead。
JuliaPendletondroppedinthiseveningtopayasocialcall，andstayedasolidhour。Shegotstartedonthesubjectoffamily，andICOULDN’Tswitchheroff。Shewantedtoknowwhatmymother’smaidennamewas——didyoueverhearsuchanimpertinentquestiontoaskofapersonfromafoundlingasylum？Ididn’thavethecouragetosayIdidn’tknow，soIjustmiserablyplumpedonthefirstnameIcouldthinkof，andthatwasMontgomery。
ThenshewantedtoknowwhetherIbelongedtotheMassachusettsMontgomerysortheVirginiaMontgomerys。
HermotherwasaRutherford。Thefamilycameoverintheark，andwereconnectedbymarriagewithHenrytheVIII。Onherfather’ssidetheydatebackfurtherthanAdam。Onthetopmostbranchesofherfamilytreethere’sasuperiorbreedofmonkeyswithveryfinesilkyhairandextralongtails。
Imeanttowriteyouanice，cheerful，entertaininglettertonight，butI’mtoosleepy——andscared。TheFreshman’slotisnotahappyone。
Yours，abouttobeexamined，JudyAbbottSundayDearestDaddy-Long-Legs，Ihavesomeawful，awful，awfulnewstotellyou，butIwon’tbeginwithit;I’lltrytogetyouinagoodhumourfirst。
JerushaAbbotthascommencedtobeanauthor。Apoementitled，`FrommyTower’，appearsintheFebruaryMonthly——onthefirstpage，whichisaverygreathonourforaFreshman。MyEnglishinstructorstoppedmeonthewayoutfromchapellastnight，andsaiditwasacharmingpieceofworkexceptforthesixthline，whichhadtoomanyfeet。Iwillsendyouacopyincaseyoucaretoreadit。
LetmeseeifIcan’tthinkofsomethingelsepleasant——
Oh，yes！I’mlearningtoskate，andcanglideaboutquiterespectablyallbymyself。AlsoI’velearnedhowtoslidedownaropefromtheroofofthegymnasium，andIcanvaultabarthreefeetandsixincheshigh——Ihopeshortlytopulluptofourfeet。
WehadaveryinspiringsermonthismorningpreachedbytheBishopofAlabama。Histextwas：`Judgenotthatyebenotjudged。’
Itwasaboutthenecessityofoverlookingmistakesinothers，andnotdiscouragingpeoplebyharshjudgments。Iwishyoumighthaveheardit。
Thisisthesunniest，mostblindingwinterafternoon，withiciclesdrippingfromthefirtreesandalltheworldbendingunderaweightofsnow——exceptme，andI’mbendingunderaweightofsorrow。
Nowforthenews——courage，Judy！——youmusttell。
AreyouSURELYinagoodhumour？IfailedinmathematicsandLatinprose。Iamtutoringinthem，andwilltakeanotherexaminationnextmonth。I’msorryifyou’redisappointed，butotherwiseIdon’tcareabitbecauseI’velearnedsuchalotofthingsnotmentionedinthecatalogue。I’vereadseventeennovelsandbushelsofpoetry——
reallynecessarynovelslikeVanityFairandRichardFeverelandAliceinWonderland。AlsoEmerson’sEssaysandLockhart’sLifeofScottandthefirstvolumeofGibbon’sRomanEmpireandhalfofBenvenutoCellini’sLife——wasn’theentertaining？
Heusedtosaunteroutandcasuallykillamanbeforebreakfast。
Soyousee，Daddy，I’mmuchmoreintelligentthanifI’djuststucktoLatin。WillyouforgivemethisonceifIpromisenevertofailagain？
Yoursinsackcloth，JudyDearDaddy-Long-Legs，ThisisanextraletterinthemiddleofthemonthbecauseI’mratherlonelytonight。It’sawfullystormy。Allthelightsareoutonthecampus，butIdrankblackcoffeeandIcan’tgotosleep。
IhadasupperpartythiseveningconsistingofSallieandJuliaandLeonoraFenton——andsardinesandtoastedmuffinsandsaladandfudgeandcoffee。Juliasaidshe’dhadagoodtime，butSalliestayedtohelpwashthedishes。
Imight，veryusefully，putsometimeonLatintonightbut，there’snodoubtaboutit，I’maverylanguidLatinscholar。
We’vefinishedLivyandDeSenectuteandarenowengagedwithDeAmicitia（pronouncedDamnIcitia）。
Shouldyoumind，justforalittlewhile，pretendingyouaremygrandmother？SalliehasoneandJuliaandLeonoraeachtwo，andtheywereallcomparingthemtonight。Ican’tthinkofanythingI’dratherhave;it’ssucharespectablerelationship。
So，ifyoureallydon’tobject——WhenIwentintotownyesterday，IsawthesweetestcapofClunylacetrimmedwithlavenderribbon。
Iamgoingtomakeyouapresentofitonyoureighty-thirdbirthday。！！！！！！！！！！！！
That’stheclockinthechapeltowerstrikingtwelve。IbelieveIamsleepyafterall。
Goodnight，Granny。
Iloveyoudearly。
JudyTheIdesofMarchDearD-L-L。，IamstudyingLatinprosecomposition。Ihavebeenstudyingit。
Ishallbestudyingit。Ishallbeabouttohavebeenstudyingit。
Myre-examinationcomesthe7thhournextTuesday，andIamgoingtopassorBUST。Soyoumayexpecttohearfrommenext，wholeandhappyandfreefromconditions，orinfragments。
Iwillwritearespectableletterwhenit’sover。TonightIhaveapressingengagementwiththeAblativeAbsolute。
Yours——inevidenthasteJ。A。
26thMarchMr。D-L-L。Smith，SIR：Youneveransweranyquestions;younevershowtheslightestinterestinanythingIdo。YouareprobablythehorridestoneofallthosehorridTrustees，andthereasonyouareeducatingmeis，notbecauseyoucareabitaboutme，butfromasenseofDuty。
Idon’tknowasinglethingaboutyou。Idon’tevenknowyourname。
ItisveryuninspiringwritingtoaThing。Ihaven’tadoubtbutthatyouthrowmylettersintothewaste-basketwithoutreadingthem。
HereafterIshallwriteonlyaboutwork。
Myre-examinationsinLatinandgeometrycamelastweek。Ipassedthembothandamnowfreefromconditions。
Yourstruly，JerushaAbbott2ndAprilDearDaddy-Long-Legs，IamaBEAST。
PleaseforgetaboutthatdreadfulletterIsentyoulastweek——
Iwasfeelingterriblylonelyandmiserableandsore-throatythenightIwrote。Ididn’tknowit，butIwasjustsickeningfortonsillitisandgrippeandlotsofthingsmixed。I’mintheinfirmarynow，andhavebeenhereforsixdays;thisisthefirsttimetheywouldletmesitupandhaveapenandpaper。Theheadnurseisverybossy。
ButI’vebeenthinkingaboutitallthetimeandIshan’tgetwelluntilyouforgiveme。
HereisapictureofthewayIlook，withabandagetiedaroundmyheadinrabbit’sears。
Doesn’tthatarouseyoursympathy？Iamhavingsublingualglandswelling。AndI’vebeenstudyingphysiologyalltheyearwithouteverhearingofsublingualglands。Howfutileathingiseducation！
Ican’twriteanymore;IgetrathershakywhenIsituptoolong。
Pleaseforgivemeforbeingimpertinentandungrateful。Iwasbadlybroughtup。
Yourswithlove，JudyAbbottTHEINFIRMARY
4thAprilDearestDaddy-Long-Legs，Yesterdayeveningjusttowardsdark，whenIwassittingupinbedlookingoutattherainandfeelingawfullyboredwithlifeinagreatinstitution，thenurseappearedwithalongwhiteboxaddressedtome，andfilledwiththeLOVELIESTpinkrosebuds。
Andmuchnicerstill，itcontainedacardwithaverypolitemessagewritteninafunnylittleuphillbackhand（butonewhichshowsagreatdealofcharacter）。Thankyou，Daddy，athousandtimes。
Yourflowersmakethefirstreal，truepresentIeverreceivedinmylife。IfyouwanttoknowwhatababyIamIlaydownandcriedbecauseIwassohappy。
NowthatIamsureyoureadmyletters，I’llmakethemmuchmoreinteresting，sothey’llbeworthkeepinginasafewithredtapearoundthem——onlypleasetakeoutthatdreadfuloneandburnitup。
I’dhatetothinkthatyoueverreaditover。
Thankyouformakingaverysick，cross，miserableFreshmancheerful。
Probablyyouhavelotsoflovingfamilyandfriends，andyoudon’tknowwhatitfeelsliketobealone。ButIdo。
Goodbye——I’llpromisenevertobehorridagain，becausenowI
knowyou’rearealperson;alsoI’llpromisenevertobotheryouwithanymorequestions。
Doyoustillhategirls？
Yoursforever，Judy8thhour，MondayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Ihopeyouaren’ttheTrusteewhosatonthetoad？Itwentoff——
Iwastold——withquiteapop，soprobablyhewasafatterTrustee。
DoyourememberthelittledugoutplaceswithgratingsoverthembythelaundrywindowsintheJohnGrierHome？Everyspringwhenthehoptoadseasonopenedweusedtoformacollectionoftoadsandkeeptheminthosewindowholes;andoccasionallytheywouldspilloverintothelaundry，causingaverypleasurablecommotiononwashdays。
Wewereseverelypunishedforouractivitiesinthisdirection，butinspiteofalldiscouragementthetoadswouldcollect。
Andoneday——well，Iwon’tboreyouwithparticulars——butsomehow，oneofthefattest，biggest，JUCIESTtoadsgotintooneofthosebigleatherarmchairsintheTrustees’room，andthatafternoonattheTrustees’meeting——ButIdaresayyouwerethereandrecalltherest？
Lookingbackdispassionatelyafteraperiodoftime，Iwillsaythatpunishmentwasmerited，and——ifIrememberrightly——adequate。
