My dear Miss Lawson:
Your kind invitation came this afternoon, thank you all very much
It would give me a great deal of pleasure to spend next Saturday and Sunday with you, and I regret to say I cannot. As Fate would have it, I made an engagement five weeks ago, with the dentist for next Saturday, and as he is a very busy man I do not think I can conscientiously break it, even for such a pleasant time as I am very sure I should have in Mansfield.
Like all school teachers, I presume your time is well occupied by your numerous duties. As for me, I am more than busy. I enjoy my work much more this term than last, and the days do not drag so slowly. Probably it is because the first nervousness is wearing off, and I am becoming accustomed to the life. Of course you are enjoying your school as much as ever, and I know you are having great success.
I attended a Mt. Holyoke Alumnae meeting in Boston two weeks ago Saturday. I saw Georgie Crosby, who is practicing dentistry in the city, Eva Noyes, Nan Sherman, Anna Peabody, Caroline Wilson and Mendum, Miss White who taught Eng. Lit. my Freshman year, and Alice Chase. Alice came back with me to spend Sunday and we had a great time - she is in Boston Public Library. It was so nice to see the girls and the many cultured refined graduates of earlier days. To see such women is enough to convince one that college education is a benefit. They sang some college songs which made my heart ache for "dear old Holyoke".
Of course you have heard of the future President. Imagine the ancient faculty obeying the instructions of a young woman, thirty some years of age. Probably a number of the older faculty will resign.
I am hoping to take a trip to college before long - won't it be fun to be back with the girls! Perhaps I shall see you when I go home, March 23, if so we can compare notes then. Only five weeks after this, you know.
Now I must close, and attend to lessons for tomorrow. Please thank the rest of the family for me, I wish I might have the pleasure of meeting them, and seeing you, but alas!
Yours sincerely,
Lota Norton Clancy.February, 12, 1900.
Egypt. Mass.