Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
Mar. 18, 1900.My dear Susie
How I wish you and I were going to Europe in company with your friends! But to tell the truth, I have almost given up Europe. I once was firmly persuaded that I should sometime go, but alas! I don't let myself think of such things now. Mamma and I have been doing some serious talking lately on the subject of my teaching next year, and we have come to the conclusion that it is not wise for me to try it. I had quite set my heart on it, and could hardly bring myself to give up the prospect of being at work soon, but I came to see that it wouldn't do.
Today we have fine sleighing. Thursday the snow came, and I am surprised that it has stayed so long. Friday morning I had a nice little sleigh-ride, and this morning another going to church and returning. I do enjoy it very much.
Mr. Requa has at last ceased to be our pastor. Last Sunday morning he preached his farewell sermon, and he and his family expected to leave Yorktown on Wednesday, but the baby has the grip so Mrs. Requa has not yet gone. Today a Mr. Adams from Newark, N.J., preached to us. He is an old friend of the family and is staying with us. Perhaps he will come next Sunday, too. Mr. Requa's successor, Mr. Wood, will come to Yorktown about the first of May. I do hope that he will prove to be the right man for the place.
Last Sunday was my first going out after the grip. It seemed good to get out of the house. I don't know when I have stayed in so long. Tuesday night we all went to a party at the home of a distant relative. Most of the guests were married people, but I had a good time.
Thursday I went to New York to attend a school Society reunion at the Hotel St. Denis. I don't know when I have enjoyed an afternoon so much. It was delightful to see the dear old girls. There were no intimate friends among them, but a number whom I had known very well and with whom I had many pleasant memories in common. Several of my Drew pupils were there too. I am quite proud of one of them, Cherrie French, who was a Red Cross nurse in Cuba during the war, and is now studying in the Presbyterian Hospital. She wore her little Red Cross pin; and when I asked her about it she told me of a more beautiful one which had been given her by the city on her return. I should like to have seen it.
I wonder if you have had the grip? I sincerely hope not. Mamma has not yet recovered her strength. My cough is still with me, and my voice for singing has not yet returned. Grip is very disagreeable, but there are compensations. A week ago Thursday morning papa came in from the village carrying a large box addressed "Miss Gertrude Mekeel and Miss Phebe Anna Mekeel." I opened it, and there lay a quantity of beautiful hot house roses, pink, yellow, and red, a sheaf of carnations, pink and white, and a profusion of Roman hyacinths, sweet alyssum and lace fern. Can you imagine how I hopped about on one foot and smelled the roses, and gave little exclamations of delight and loved every blossom? You can't imagine who the sender was, after what I wrote you some weeks ago. It was Niles Mekeel. I am sure I don't understand the child. Sometimes, however, I think I am beginning to think
soI do, and then something happens to upset my ideas.He came up to dinner last Sunday and spent the afternoon and he and Phebe and I went for a little walk, and ate nuts and drank lemonade, and he went away a happy child with one of his own yellow roses in his button hole.
You ask if I have seen Mr. Lee since my last letter. No, but I shall see him next Thursday evening. Please forget what I said about his appearance, and please do not use again the name which I applied to him. I am so ashamed of it.
Our V.I.S. [Village Improvement Society] is flourishing. We are now planning a musical evening at Mrs. Richs [sic], where we shall charge admission and put the proceeds in the treasury.
Goodby, sweetheart. Take good care of yourself and don't be too faithful to your duties.
Lovingly,
Gertrude.