Monday noon
Dear Mamma:-
I slept so long yesterday that I didn't get letters written, but as they couldn't start until four today it made no difference. It is a decidedly rainy day, and I am glad I did my shopping and came Saturday. I don't really expect Miss Smith and her mother, but still they may come as they would have nothing to eat at home.
I left Ithaca Friday morning at 7:15. Didn't have to take the examination Thursday after all, but we were not told until we got there all ready for it, so it didn't do much good to be excused. Since practically all who were let off were teachers, it struck me as a kid trick, but I was able to use the time parking. My trunk had to leave at 7 Thursday night. The day on the train Friday was about as hot as it could be. Reached Boston on the Fitchburg right on time at 8:30. Elizabeth and the little girl met me. I had a very pleasant time meeting the family, and then Elizabeth went shopping with me all Saturday morning. Got me a dress like the sample I inclose - to succeed the red cashmere and purple dress as a sort of good looking dress for a variety of occasions.
I think I shall like it. It is the same kind of stuff as that tan one of mine which has been so good about not wrinkling. Then I got grey stuff for a skirt and ordered it sponged and sent to Miss McWalter. She said she would take care of it. Don't know whom to have to make the other one.
Also bought me one night dress and some stockings and a few other little things I needed. Trunk strap broke, so I had to get another. My trunk came up here without any, but reached here safely. They tied the pieces of the leather one on the handle of my trunk so I can have that fixed. That trunk is pretty weak. I put in a lot of nails in Ithaca myself, and some in Buckland.
Bought you a fountain pen for $1.00 at Wards. It isn't like mine, but they hadn't that kind, and this seemed to go fully as well. If there is anything the matter with it, it can be changed. If it feels too heavy as you write, just don't put the cap on the other end at all. It unscrews in about the middle of that smooth place near the pen. The joint is very inconspicuous. Fills like mine. If you don't like it, tell me. I thought you would like this better than a finer one.
Miss Purington came Friday. My train Saturday was late and crowded, so I didn't get here until 9:15. Mr. Hoag was at the station himself so I had no trouble in getting up. The country is fine - lots of mountains in sight, though none very near. Several as near as Mt. Tom, however. It is about as far from the house where we room to the one where we board as from Mrs. Lovell's to Mrs. Shea's or a little farther. The Quaker meeting house is half way between. Other houses quarter of a mile or so away. The board is good and the rooms very pleasant. The one we have was taken until today so I stayed in another over Sunday and didn't unpack much until this morning. I have nearly all arranged now, and am glad to get it done before Miss Smith comes. There are seven other boarders beside us - two sisters, Quakers, from New Bedford, very nice, a mother and daughter from Cambridge, who are snobs, a woman and little boy (he needs spanking) and Miss French, Ethel Swift's aunt. You remember meeting her at Miss Miller's? She can see very little now, but has been here many summers so came again. Miss Smith had better have gone to Pemaquid. She will be lonesome here, I am sure. She is to be at the house where we eat, not at this one. Only two people room here beside Miss Purington, Miss Smith and I. It is a fine country for walks. We took a little one yesterday late in the afternoon, and hope it will clear off so we can go tomorrow somewhere.
Oh, I got some edging in Boston - but no tape or buttons. My time was short and I thought those could be gotten just as well in Phillips. Will send the edge for the four thicker waists in this and the rest later. They had very pretty patterns I thought. So long as the waists get done this summer it will be all right.
If Mr. Clough hasn't sent you any money hadn't you better have him draw some for you? That you had must be gone. I don't suppose there is any chance of renting the house before fall anyway. But we'll get on somehow.
Went to Quaker meeting yesterday morning. They sang Y.P.S.C.E. [Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor] hymns very loud and strong and it didn't seem at all like the nice Quaker meeting I went to in Philadelphia, nor yet like anything else. Mrs. Grover Cleveland and family live two miles away and come every Sunday. She is certainly a beautiful looking woman. The little church was about full, perhaps half summer people. The Hoags are all Quakers, and everything is beautifully clean - which is quite a contrast to Ithaca. Our rooms were clean enough there, but the bed-clothes were awful.
The address I gave you is not the quickest one - and everything is dead slow here. Use the one below, please. We live at Mr. Weed's, and eat at the Hoag's. Mrs. Weed is a Hoag daughter. Your letter I found all right at Elizabeth's, but I don't find it now. Oh yes, I've struck it. Haven't gotten my things all arranged yet. I think you'd better go to Dr. Lancaster as he is so much more convenient, but do as you choose about it. Is Mittie going to have her eyes examined? If she didn't plan to otherwise, perhaps she would let you pay for that, for she ought to have it done. I had never seen any shamrock like that you sent. It must be pretty.
Must stop now, and write just a note to Mrs. McKee before mail time. Elizabeth goes today to Onset to tutor a stupid Wellesley girl for two weeks. She has worked too hard this summer, making clothes for herself and sister, tutoring this girl and keeping house while her mother was gone.
Love to all, and to you,
Abby.
c/o Mr. Chester Weed, R.F.D.
Tamworth, N.H.