A Letter Written on Feb 4, 1910

South Hadley,
Feb. 4, 1910.

Dear Auntie [Carrie Matthews]:-

I suppose that I have time enough in which to write you a good letter. I am so happy. Bessie & I got through at the same time & all last night we would jump up & down & hug each other every few minutes[.]

Well to begin with Wednesday nigh morning. My Math exam. was not nice at all. It was about the hardest exam. that I ever took so naturally I do not think I did very well. I went to walk with Olive after it. We went up on Prospect & then went through the fields & came back by the road so we did not need to come back the same way we went up. My Psychology exam. in the afternoon was ever so nice. I liked it best of all my exams. I wrote a two-cent blue book full & some in another. Bertha Martin & I had arranged to go to walk after it. But first Bertha insisted on our going to the Art Nook & getting something to eat. I had never been there to get anything to eat so I enjoyed it doubly. We had hot cocoa, nut and cheese sandwiches, chocolate cake & brick ice-cream. Then we went down to Smith's Ferry & back. I didn't study much in the evening for I was too tired. I practised [sic] a few minutes & tried to study but it was of no use.

Yesterday A.M. I studied Art as I never studied before. About four hours to prepare for an exam!! I hadn't done much reading since Christmas so I had a lot to do. However the exam was nice. Bessie & I went to walk down the Holyoke road after it.

Every year the college has a lady doctor from New York come & give lectures on hygene [sic] to the Seniors. This year the Juniors are "strongly advised to go". I didn't go Wed. night. But I thought that yesterday at 4:45 I would try to go. I have dreaded them above everything else. Well, I went. I was quite interested. She was telling things that I really wanted to know when I began to feel funny. I grew worse & worse & if she hadn't stopped just as she did I should have had to go. I can't quite see why I should faint like that for I was really interested. For one thing it was hot, I was tired & as it was illustrated so the light hurt my eyes. I looked so badly when the I got home that Bessie didn't like to look at me. I felt all right by the time I got home. It makes me mad to perform like that. However I am going to another & see if I can't stand it. I guess it is something born in me. Alethea was about as badly off.

Alethea & I lay on my couch all the evening & Pearl read to us. I was very much interested when suddenly I heard Alethea say "Mary has dropped off" & there I had missed all the last part of the story.

This A.M. I lay down from 9:30 to 11 & slept considerable. Since then I have done odds & ends - washed dishes, brushed the room a little, hung banners etc.

Cousin May wrote that it would be more convenient if I went to C- to-morrow as Cousin E- was coming out of the hospital yesterday & of course it would be better for her to have a day to rest in.

We girls are going to have dinner in our room to-morrow night. Bertha has invited Pearl & I down to her place to dinner to-morrow Sunday.

The college still is boiling somewhat over the girl I told you about in my last letter. I have heard that it will mean just a condition & also that she will not be allowed to graduate. I have also heard that they came near expelling her. Whatever they do, I do not think that they can hurt her any worse than they have already. It seems too bad for her to have to suffer so when we all have done the same thing only didn't get caught.

I have a letter from Lucy to-day. She was on her way to Edith's. I also had a nice letter from Edith Cary.

Well I guess I will go down & practise [sic] & then iron a little. You cannot imagiene how lovely it is to have some time to myself.

With love to you all,
Mary.

Roger is coming over to-night.