[Other letters in this series take place just after Williston burns down on Dec 22, 1917. It appears this letter was written just days before the fire, since there are several details that are common to both this letter, and the post-fire letters. Abby mentions a food conference and a visit to Dr. Sedgwick in this letter, and speaks of a food conference and a visit to Dr. Sedgwick after Williston burned. She mentioned that the snow is deep in this letter, and Miss Safford is away, both in this letter, and in the post-fire letters.]Dec. 19
Dear Dr. Clapp:-
I have a few minutes before lunch and so will talk to you. Vacation began yesterday noon - and Miss Safford has gone, so you know what I am about. I wish taking care of my mother was compatible with sleeping mornings, but it isn't. This morning I thought we should never have any breakfast because I couldn't find anything! But I shall get over that stage soon.
You're not going to have any Xmas present. I'm giving only to Red Cross and such, because I haven't enough to do both and that has to be done. Do you remember that Hripak family down on the ferry road? There was a gay unruly girl and then lots of small ones - mother scrubbed for us between babies for a while, not at Williston but at the house. House very small with a cellar in front.
Dec. 21
Mrs. Bray is here cleaning and her conversation interrupts my train of thought. But I'd better sieze [sic] any little moments there are or you'll have no letter at all for Xmas. I can't realize that the time is so near, even though I did make us two laurel wreaths last night and set up the little Xmas tree. It's not a pretty tree, but the snow was deep and the wading lessened our ardor for the perfect tree. Mary Oliver went with me and we got laurel for wreaths and trees for Miss Smith the Hripaks and me. Eleanor Mason and roommate are in town this vacation working in the laundry to get money for their
XmasY.W.C.A. pledges. They couldn't go home, but they refused a nice invitation to do this. That $13000 the girls gave has meant real sacrifice for some of them. Eleanor and roommate are doing this tree for the youngsters at the Hripaks, seven there are, the oldest at home eleven years old. The naughty Mary is now at a reform school. We've gotten about 15.00 to spend for the family, but they need so much! Some of the girls are sending toys and somewhat worn clothes from home. It's really quite exciting.Ann goes to see Elizabeth this vacation and try to get her to come here next year. Ann surely needs her, for everybody goes except Dorothy Stewart (who has been sweet this fall.) If it weren't a war I'd feel that Elizabeth had better go on studying but studying is queer now, there's no use denying it. People aren't really in it somehow. So I think Elizabeth had better come back for a while.
I'm going to Boston for a day or two, to a food conference for college students, and to see Prof. Sedgwick. He was so nice here - I did want you so much. But he had a good time, I think. I had no time to talk with him as I wished about his ideas regarding college courses in physiology, and he was good enough to say he'd like to do it. Miss Woolley was awfully polite to him - oh, our dinner in S.A.H. was a success. She told me to write him that if he was at personal expense in coming here the college would be glad to meet it. She scored on that - just listen to this from his reply. You know Ann and Lu met him in Holyoke with Bucs' automobile and then we sent him in the evening to Northampton in a grand car.
"Yours of the 15th is before me and I wish you would assure President Woolley that the college did its full share and that too very handsomely in conveying me from Holyoke to South Hadley and from the college to Northampton. It is very nice of President Woolley to ask about this, for the Smith College people have not even offered to pay my fare from the college to the railroad station, but if they should, I shall let them do something, since Mount Holyoke did so much in paying my automobile bills."
Rather rich? But aren't these great folks all alike? They do so like to be petted. It isn't just the meeting of obligations, it's the frills that make an impression! But he's a nice man and I'm glad to feel acquainted a little.
We made over 100.00 at the Orpheus Club concert by a collection for the children of devastated districts. The ushers were dressed as French &c children, and a girl made a speech to begin the collection, telling about it. Of course no one went to the Orpheus Club, but they got a carriage boot of Miss Chadwick's and passed it gaily. Miss Chadwick played her violin quite well, I think, but the attention of all the back gallery was diverted by her absence of petticoats! A shocked damsel in front of me murmured - "Above her knees" - She is evidently a little bow-legged! We hope the Orpheus Club couldn't see through as well as we could.
I'd like to see your house. Of course you'll have balmy breezes and delicious oranges. I'd like to go down for a short season - but I'd miss the zip of winter, I'm sure. You see, I like it cool. We've had it cool enough - even too cold. I was glad you got your sister Mary away before it came a below zero episode. I saw your cousin on the street yesterday. I wish I could get over oftener, for I like her - but I don't do any thing I ought to!
Now I'll be helping Mrs. Bray finish up. We are nearly clean. Isn't it nice when the house is all freshly swept and wiped? If only we weren't so persistently prone to be dirty!
Good-bye - and my love to your sisters and most especially to you. I do miss you sadly. Please come north rather early and stay until Commencement. You see, we need you around. I wish you were here for Ann to talk over courses with. She's having a house-cleaning so to speak - and while some of her ideas seem straight to me, others seem to almost force girls to taking more zoölogy than the general new program indicates - 27 hours instead of 24. I don't think that is quite square, even if the plans are better balanced that way! Of course they can leave out their physiology, but I don't think Ann really wants that. I wish she knew a little more physiology herself. I'm glad Alice isn't here, but yet it's a pity not to have her able to be here, with the changes so many for next year.
Must stop. Lots of love -
Abby