South Hadley, Mass.,
Oct. 13, 1907.Dear Sister:-
I have made a business of writing letters to-day. This is only the sixth and I am tired. I lay down for an hour this afternoon and am going to bed at nine for this week looks as if it might be strenuous. What letter you get has got to be written before that hour. I got up at 6:30 this A.M. and waited around for half an hour in order to get a bath. It is the only way to do. I had enough breakfast for once. I had two great dishes of cereal besides a slice of toast. The minister who speaks to-night at the Mission Rally or something of that nature was here and they gave him more to eat than they did the others and I don't think that was fair. I earned my breakfast for I sat next to the one who was serving and I ran after things about once for two minutes.
Miss Smith, the head of our table, had a guest this noon so she asked me to find a place elsewhere. Then just before dinner she came clear up on the fourth floor to tell me that Miss Everts wasn't going to be there and so I needn't "git".
I called on Ruth Johnson between church and dinner and found her mother there. She (her mother) is going home either to-morrow or Tuesday.
Yesterday P.M. Blanche More and I went hunting for mushrooms. We found two different kinds and about two chestnuts apiece so we considered the trip a success. Last night I went down to Miss Kenedy's. [sic] I wanted to wear my pink dress but as the flat irons hadn't returned I couldn't, (I haven't been able to iron yet.) as mu dress was considerably
squmussed. Then I decided to wear my linen skirt and my waist with the embroidery in it. Well, I suppose the waist was a little short waisted for every petticoat was too long. The dinner bell rang & I had to scramble into my light skirt and by hustling reached the dining-room in time. After dinner I tried again and by pinning up a skirt made it do. Wasn't it a strange performance?We went to Miss Kenedy's [sic] at eight. We talked for a while and then played "Twenty Questions." Two other teachers in the same house, Mountain View, had their Freshmen there so there was quite a crowd. Then we toasted marshmallows over the fire in the fire place and lastly Miss Hughes read us a story. We had a fine time. One of the girls there was a Miss Bartholomew and when she happened to remark that she had a sister in '05 I began to ask questions. She is Lena B's sister. Lena is at home this year and is going to be married next year I think.
Something new has been started in the English course. Every two weeks a period is given up to voice culture. We have a regular teacher for it. In addition to that every two weeks I think, we each have a private lesson with her. I don't expect to enjoy it but I think it is a fine thing. She says she is going to try to teach us to stand and sit correctly, to walk as we should, to go up and down stairs properly and last but not least to be able to read and recite well. We are to have exercises such as rising on our toes and descending and all such like: In the course of the work, we have each got to learn ten jokes and tell each one of them to a different person every day for a week. Then, she says, we will be able to tell them anywhere. We have to have a book for the training - one thing more.
I have made some inquiries and find that I can't cut that lecture. I should have to report to Miss Woolley if I did and I really don't wish to do that. But don't you suppose I could get to Hartford all right and then have someone meet me there? I do want to go so much. If the trains went right I could get to Springfield about six and that wouldn't be very late and that would be the worst place if someone could meet me in H-. Perhaps you and Auntie can think up some other scheme. But whatever you do don't fail to come for I should [be] horribly dissapointed. [sic]
I should like to know what you have been doing when I fondly supposed you safe at home. Then I read in the paper that you were home for over Sunday. Be prepared to give an account of yourself when you arrive here.
We had the President of Brown University for a minister this A.M. (You know who he is so I won't try to spell his name.) He was just great. They keep growing better every Sunday so I am encouraged for the one we had "Freshmen Sunday" did not please me at all. I heard the one we had to-day. at graduation this year.
I simply can't think of another thing. O yes, one more. Did you get the skirt? I never thought of the village post office closing early so when I went down it was closed. I had to get up Sat. A.M. and get down there before ten minutes of seven. It was a delightful morning for a walk.
I wore my graduation dress to-day. I thought I shouldn't have many more chances.
Just think! Day after to-morrow I shall see you. Praise Hannah! as Carrie says. Is Uncle as well as usual? How is Russell? I wrote him a little letter.
With lots of love to Uncle, Auntie and yourself,
From,
Mary.P.S. Bertha had
HelenAddie Hines and Helen Parker who are teaching near here, over to see her yesterday and they came and made a little call on me.