July 24th
Dear Carrie -I was so glad to get you[r] letter, all about the wedding and the picnic, for it was my only way of hearing and I didn't want to wait all summer to know about them. I am ashamed not to have written before, but least said soonest mended I suppose.
Of course it is lovely up here and I am having a fine time. Probably to cap my summer I shall have the last two weeks down in New London with Papa Mermon [?] and Fannie, won't that be fine?
Both Miss Holmes are as nice as they can be and think of every thing to give us all a good time. If the weather had been as good we would have been up on the top of Kearsage mountain today, but it just pours. It can't rain all the time and we are to go the first fair day. We have to cross the lake in a little launch then drive about elevem [sic] miles to the half way house and climb the rest of the way.
Saturday we went on a trip around the lake in the "Westerns" [?] one of the little lake steamers. We were gone about four hours. It was a lovely day for the trip. We had eleven in the party. There are only seven in our little cottage, and we have the nicest little times, popping corn over the open fire, and making candy, going on walks to see the sunset, and on little rows.
The day before, Friday -, we went to a lovely drive to Colby hill where we could see Mt. Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. I think that the last two are rightly named for the fine peaks that we saw. We could see for over a hundred miles. It was a glorious day. The clouds were lovely over the mountains.
Thursday afternoon I went off to a tiny row with Miss Taylor, we of the "red birds" as they call us at the Inn, for we have a dear little red cottage and we keep watch of the birds. The trees come right up to the large [...], so we have a fine chance. I have learned several new birds and about ten new flowers.
When there is nothing else more exciting I read. at [sic] present I am wading through "Tom Jones" by Henry Fielding. It is a four volume book written over a century ago and the begining [sic] of the modern novel, but I wouldn't advise you to read it for fun. Miss Evelyn Holmes calls it a "bad book," and it wouldn't do to read out loud. I have read two other of the old fashioned two volume novels, "Emma" by Jane Austin and "Evelina" by Frances Burney. Doesn't that sound virtuous? It is more reading than I have done in one year.
I haven't had but one letter from Edith, and I am expecting one every day, and I don't see why she doesn't write. I haven't had a single word from Alice.
I wonder what you have been doing this summer you must be having a nice time with you three girls at home.
I don't understand what good in the world our class money is to do. There is not enough to buy many books, and is just to be swallowed up without any "Presented by the class of '03"? I am glad there is to be a reunion next year, perhaps I can go them. [sic]
There will never be a "first wedding["] agaim. [sic] I wonder who will be next. How do you suppose that Ada feels about now? I suppose that they are back and settled for life.
Such good things as I have to eat I know that I can never exist until on hash again. If it wasn't for that, I am all ready to go back for I am quite anxious to begin German, Philosophy, History and Lit. all new and I like new things. Yours will be new too. Miss Rensch actually gave me credit in French so I am most sorry that I am not going on in it.
It will seem queer not to be in the same hall, but it isn't so very far from Wilder to Pearsons as I well know, for Alice was in Wilder my freshman year.
I wonder where Bessie will be. I suppose that she is writing to you if she has any questions to ask for I have not written her my address and I told her that I would.
Miss Holmes tells people that I am a Junior and I feel quite dignified.
You are no longer a freshman and will never have to answer the bell again.
We have a lovely, open fire snapping in the fire place and it feels good, but it has been O! so hot. I pity people not in so cool a place as this.
Give my love to Helen and Mary.
Lovingly,
Mary
c/o Gronlider [?] Inn
Sunapee Station