19Th August

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

My window looks out on the loveliest landscape--ocean-scape,

rather--nothing but water and rocks.

The summer goes. I spend the morning with Latin and English and

algebra and my two stupid girls. I don't know how Marion is ever going

to get into college, or stay in after she gets there. And as for

Florence, she is hopeless--but oh! such a little beauty. I don't

suppose it matters in the least whether they are stupid or not so long

as they are pretty? One can't help thinking, though, how their

conversation will bore their husbands, unless they are fortunate enough

to obtain stupid husbands. I suppose that's quite possible; the world

seems to be filled with stupid men; I've met a number this summer.

In the afternoon we take a walk on the cliffs, or swim, if the tide is

right. I can swim in salt water with the utmost ease you see my

education is already being put to use!

A letter comes from Mr. Jervis Pendleton in Paris, rather a short

concise letter; I'm not quite forgiven yet for refusing to follow his

advice. However, if he gets back in time, he will see me for a few

days at Lock Willow before college opens, and if I am very nice and

sweet and docile, I shall (I am led to infer) be received into favour

again.

Also a letter from Sallie. She wants me to come to their camp for two

weeks in September. Must I ask your permission, or haven't I yet

arrived at the place where I can do as I please? Yes, I am sure I

have--I'm a Senior, you know. Having worked all summer, I feel like

taking a little healthful recreation; I want to see the Adirondacks; I

want to see Sallie; I want to see Sallie's brother--he's going to teach

me to canoe--and (we come to my chief motive, which is mean) I want

Master Jervie to arrive at Lock Willow and find me not there.

I MUST show him that he can't dictate to me. No one can dictate to me

but you, Daddy--and you can't always! I'm off for the woods.

Judy

CAMP MCBRIDE,

6th September

Dear Daddy,

Your letter didn't come in time (I am pleased to say). If you wish your

instructions to be obeyed, you must have your secretary transmit them

in less than two weeks. As you observe, I am here, and have been for

five days.

The woods are fine, and so is the camp, and so is the weather, and so

are the McBrides, and so is the whole world. I'm very happy!

There's Jimmie calling for me to come canoeing. Goodbye--sorry to have

disobeyed, but why are you so persistent about not wanting me to play a

little? When I've worked all the summer I deserve two weeks. You are

awfully dog-in-the-mangerish.

However--I love you still, Daddy, in spite of all your faults.

Judy

3rd October

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

Back at college and a Senior--also editor of the Monthly. It doesn't

seem possible, does it, that so sophisticated a person, just four years

ago, was an inmate of the John Grier Home? We do arrive fast in

America!

What do you think of this? A note from Master Jervie directed to Lock

Willow and forwarded here. He's sorry, but he finds that he can't get

up there this autumn; he has accepted an invitation to go yachting with

some friends. Hopes I've had a nice summer and am enjoying the country.

And he knew all the time that I was with the McBrides, for Julia told

him so! You men ought to leave intrigue to women; you haven't a light

enough touch.

Julia has a trunkful of the most ravishing new clothes--an evening gown

of rainbow Liberty crepe that would be fitting raiment for the angels