Mt. Holyoke Col.
South Hadley
Mass.
Dear Carrie:-
The second semester has begun. I haven't been to my first recitation yet, but I begin the rounds in about twenty minutes. Yesterday was such a glorious day - only too short.
In the morning, Miriam and I went down to Holyoke and did a little shopping. We didn't want to calmly go to lunch after we came back so we had welsh rarebit and toast and olives, finishing up with coffee and crullers up at Glesman's Wasn't that a proper celebration?
Sunday afternoon: I wish that you were here to talk to instead of being written to. Yours was such a lovely long letter. I was so glad to hear of Chester Richardson. It seems so wonderful. If we read it in a story we would say that it was very improbably. I told Alice Thompson of it and at the table I told Miss Laird - I have the joy and bliss of being at her table. She was very much interested and the next day she said that she had been telling the faculty in the parlours and they were much interested. Everyone knew Marion and about her brother's dissapearance [sic] at the time. It seems so strange that he didn't think how troubled the family would be about him.
You have plenty of snow for snow-shoeing haven't you? Last Tuesday we had a regular drifty, blizzard-like snow storm. In the morning, Edith, Miriam and I had an exam in structure - our last exam. Wouldn't you like to know the questions? We each took a different one. Miriam took, "Change the Hero in Pride and Prejudice from Darcy to Wickham." Edith took "Outline a treatise on the novel for the use of Juniors" and I choose, [sic] "Block out an original drama, indicating climax, struggle, etc." Structure exams are always strange and wonderful things. Miriam and I have watched for flunk-notes, but in vain so far and I think that they ought to be out before this.
The fresh-man basket-ball team were wise and did not orginize [sic] until after flunk notes were out. I think they lost only one any way. The sophomores are the ones that lose through. [sic] I think they have lost four through conditions, but they still have Ruth Bailey all safe. The games will be coming soon now. Only six weeks from Tuesday and away we go home again - my last vacation to come back from.
I suppose that you had a letter from Annie Pettee about the class gift. I am glad that they have bought one while there is some money left.
We have had two such good sermons today by Rev. Raymond Calkins of Portland Me. This morning it was on doubt and this evening on prayer. It is the week of prayer here. I wish that you were to be here this week, for Dr. Watson [Ian Maclaren] is to speak Friday afternoon. I am so glad for a chance to see him.
O dear, the twenty minutes bell has run, time goes so fast.
I feel so grand this semester for I have only thirteen hours and listen in a three hour course. Two of the hours are horrid old German which means work. There is a new Lit. teacher who has the Shakespeare class. Her hair resembles Miss Laird's and she is Miss B. K. Young's choice and after her own heart I guess. Her first assumption was that we had read all of Shakespeare's plays. I think she is going to be very nice. Her name is "Kennedy."
I suppose that you and Mary are having good times with your music again. A tenor, a Mr. Wells is to be here Tuesday night.
Good night dear, there is the five bell.
Wednesday: This is certainly a piece-meal letter. I have just finished sweeping and dusting - It is my turn this week.
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Tonight the Seniors in the hall are to have a valentine party. Tomorrow there will be the usual table spreads and valentines. I think that we are to have nuts and rasins [sic] for our spread.
That was a dear little Valentine in my letter. It is up on my desk looking at me.
Tonight, beside our party, there is a little farce by the Social Settlement Club, and at ten minutes after nine Miss Jackson is to read over in the Library. Miss Marks and Miss Williams take turns in reading Wednesday evenings from ten minutes past nine for half an hour, in the library of the masters. This is the first time that Miss Jackson has read.
Last evening, there was a song recital by a Mr. Wells. He was very good. If the envelope will hold it, I will put in the programe. [sic]
Have you ever read Ca[r]lyle's "Sartor Resartus"? [?] We have been having it in 19th cen. Prose and I have come to love it so. Now we are reading Emerson, and I think that I am going to like him very much. I like Henry Van Dyke very much too.
You wrote about Miss Neilson - O, she get [sic] along very well without "Bobby". There is a new History teacher this year a Mr. Kimball, and the other day I saw the two having a very "giggling" time over in the library.
I am glad that you are improving, that is just the very properest thing to do. The spring days will be coming soon and then you can live out with the birds and flowers. I bought one of those little bird books, such as you had in Zoo, last year, but I haven't used it much. I hope to be out of doors late this Spring with only thirteen hours. I wish that you were here to take walks with me.
I haven't heard from Bessie for quite a while, - because I am bad and haven't written. I had a letter from Bessie Emerson last week. She is quite happy in her Library work.
Write me another such a lovely long letter - when you have time.
Remember me to your Aunt and to Helen and Mary.
With much love.
Mary.
Feb. 13th.