LOCK WILLOW FARM, Saturday night
Dearest Daddy-Long-Legs,
I've only just come and I'm not unpacked, but I can't wait to tell youhow much I like farms. This is a heavenly, heavenly, HEAVENLY spot!The house is square like this: And OLD. A hundred years or so. Ithas a veranda on the side which I can't draw and a sweet porch infront. The picture really doesn't do it justice--those things thatlook like feather dusters are maple trees, and the prickly ones thatborder the drive are murmuring pines and hemlocks. It stands on thetop of a hill and looks way off over miles of green meadows to anotherline of hills.
That is the way Connecticut goes, in a series of Marcelle waves; andLock Willow Farm is just on the crest of one wave. The barns used tobe across the road where they obstructed the view, but a kind flash oflightning came from heaven and burnt them down.
The people are Mr. and Mrs. Semple and a hired girl and two hired men.The hired people eat in the kitchen, and the Semples and Judy in thedining-room. We had ham and eggs and biscuits and honey and jelly-cakeand pie and pickles and cheese and tea for supper--and a great deal ofconversation. I have never been so entertaining in my life; everythingI say appears to be funny. I suppose it is, because I've never been inthe country before, and my questions are backed by an all-inclusiveignorance.
The room marked with a cross is not where the murder was committed, butthe one that I occupy. It's big and square and empty, with adorableold-fashioned furniture and windows that have to be propped up onsticks and green shades trimmed with gold that fall down if you touchthem. And a big square mahogany table--I'm going to spend the summerwith my elbows spread out on it, writing a novel.
Oh, Daddy, I'm so excited! I can't wait till daylight to explore.It's 8.30 now, and I am about to blow out my candle and try to go tosleep. We rise at five. Did you ever know such fun? I can't believethis is really Judy. You and the Good Lord give me more than Ideserve. I must be a very, very, VERY good person to pay. I'm goingto be. You'll see.
Good night, Judy
PS. You should hear the frogs sing and the little pigs squeal and youshould see the new moon! I saw it over my right shoulder.