To Mr. Daddy-Long-Legs Smith
1st October
Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,
I love college and I love you for sending me--I'm very, very happy, andso excited every moment of the time that I can scarcely sleep. Youcan't imagine how different it is from the John Grier Home. I neverdreamed there was such a place in the world. I'm feeling sorry foreverybody who isn't a girl and who can't come here; I am sure thecollege you attended when you were a boy couldn't have been so nice.
My room is up in a tower that used to be the contagious ward beforethey built the new infirmary. There are three other girls on the samefloor of the tower--a Senior who wears spectacles and is always askingus please to be a little more quiet, and two Freshmen named SallieMcBride and Julia Rutledge Pendleton. Sallie has red hair and aturn-up nose and is quite friendly; Julia comes from one of the firstfamilies in New York and hasn't noticed me yet. They room together andthe Senior and I have singles. Usually Freshmen can't get singles;they are very scarce, but I got one without even asking. I suppose theregistrar didn't think it would be right to ask a properly brought-upgirl to room with a foundling. You see there are advantages!
My room is on the north-west corner with two windows and a view. Afteryou've lived in a ward for eighteen years with twenty room-mates, it isrestful to be alone. This is the first chance I've ever had to getacquainted with Jerusha Abbott. I think I'm going to like her.
Do you think you are?
Tuesday
They are organizing the Freshman basket-ball team and there's just achance that I shall get in it. I'm little of course, but terriblyquick and wiry and tough. While the others are hopping about in theair, I can dodge under their feet and grab the ball. It's loads of funpractising--out in the athletic field in the afternoon with the treesall red and yellow and the air full of the smell of burning leaves, andeverybody laughing and shouting. These are the happiest girls I eversaw--and I am the happiest of all!
I meant to write a long letter and tell you all the things I'm learning(Mrs. Lippett said you wanted to know), but 7th hour has just rung, andin ten minutes I'm due at the athletic field in gymnasium clothes.Don't you hope I'll get in the team?
Yours always, Jerusha Abbott
PS. (9 o'clock.)
Sallie McBride just poked her head in at my door. This is what shesaid:
'I'm so homesick that I simply can't stand it. Do you feel that way?'
I smiled a little and said no; I thought I could pull through. Atleast homesickness is one disease that I've escaped! I never heard ofanybody being asylum-sick, did you?