5th June
Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,
Your secretary man has just written to me saying that Mr. Smith prefersthat I should not accept Mrs. McBride's invitation, but should returnto Lock Willow the same as last summer.
Why, why, WHY, Daddy?
You don't understand about it. Mrs. McBride does want me, really andtruly. I'm not the least bit of trouble in the house. I'm a help.They don't take up many servants, and Sallie an I can do lots of usefulthings. It's a fine chance for me to learn housekeeping. Every womanought to understand it, and I only know asylum-keeping.
There aren't any girls our age at the camp, and Mrs. McBride wants mefor a companion for Sallie. We are planning to do a lot of readingtogether. We are going to read all of the books for next year'sEnglish and sociology. The Professor said it would be a great help ifwe would get our reading finished in the summer; and it's so mucheasier to remember it if we read together and talk it over.
Just to live in the same house with Sallie's mother is an education.She's the most interesting, entertaining, companionable, charming womanin the world; she knows everything. Think how many summers I've spentwith Mrs. Lippett and how I'll appreciate the contrast. You needn't beafraid that I'll be crowding them, for their house is made of rubber.When they have a lot of company, they just sprinkle tents about in thewoods and turn the boys outside. It's going to be such a nice, healthysummer exercising out of doors every minute. Jimmie McBride is goingto teach me how to ride horseback and paddle a canoe, and how to shootand--oh, lots of things I ought to know. It's the kind of nice, jolly,care-free time that I've never had; and I think every girl deserves itonce in her life. Of course I'll do exactly as you say, but please,PLEASE let me go, Daddy. I've never wanted anything so much.
This isn't Jerusha Abbott, the future great author, writing to you.It's just Judy--a girl.
9th June
Mr. John Smith,
SIR: Yours of the 7th inst. at hand. In compliance with theinstructions received through your secretary, I leave on Friday next tospend the summer at Lock Willow Farm.
I hope always to remain, (Miss) Jerusha Abbott