27th August
Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,
Where are you, I wonder?
I never know what part of the world you are in, but I hope you're notin New York during this awful weather. I hope you're on a mountainpeak (but not in Switzerland; somewhere nearer) looking at the snow andthinking about me. Please be thinking about me. I'm quite lonely andI want to be thought about. Oh, Daddy, I wish I knew you! Then whenwe were unhappy we could cheer each other up.
I don't think I can stand much more of Lock Willow. I'm thinking ofmoving. Sallie is going to do settlement work in Boston next winter.Don't you think it would be nice for me to go with her, then we couldhave a studio together? I would write while she SETTLED and we couldbe together in the evenings. Evenings are very long when there's noone but the Semples and Carrie and Amasai to talk to. I know inadvance that you won't like my studio idea. I can read yoursecretary's letter now:
'Miss Jerusha Abbott. 'DEAR MADAM,
'Mr. Smith prefers that you remain at Lock Willow. 'Yours truly, 'ELMER H. GRIGGS.'
I hate your secretary. I am certain that a man named Elmer H. Griggsmust be horrid. But truly, Daddy, I think I shall have to go toBoston. I can't stay here. If something doesn't happen soon, I shallthrow myself into the silo pit out of sheer desperation.
Mercy! but it's hot. All the grass is burnt up and the brooks are dryand the roads are dusty. It hasn't rained for weeks and weeks.
This letter sounds as though I had hydrophobia, but I haven't. I justwant some family.
Goodbye, my dearest Daddy.
I wish I knew you. Judy