217 Lake View Avenue
Jamestown, N.Y.
Friday Evening, May 18.My Dear Nell:-
Before this the newspaper clipping has reached you and you know what I could not tell you. It has been a long, hard week but to-night I feel a little bit as I sometimes do when Friday evening comes at College, so I am going to suppose that you are not going to meeting but have donned your bath-robe and though you hold your Trig in your hands, you really don't mind a little chat with me.
Both your letters were gladly received and eagerly read. I intended to answer you first last Saturday evening, but - oh, how do [I] ever dare make plans for even the next minute? Write me just as often as you can all the little events of the College-life, for you know how interested I am in it. What of the Gym. ex.? I hope the green and white won. The shoes came in fine shape and fit pretty well, rather large. I thank you much for all you have done for me, tho' I hope, my dear, that I may never have to do the same for you. This is such a lonesome house. I am still dazed and bewildered. It seems as though the last two weeks were some horrid dream from which I would presently awake & find myself drowsily mumbling "was that the fifteen?" then spring out for another day to be spent careless of all save my work. I know I have your love and sympathy, - the love and sympathy of all The Family, - and knowing that has helped make these days more bearable.
I have very many things to be thankful for and I am trying to drown the ache in thinking of how much worse things might be, and in doing all that I can for Mamma and the boys, remembering
"Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest."Miss Hazen's note was very lovely. Everyone is so good to me; it's perfectly overwhelming, I don't know why they should be, I am sure. But I appreciate it all and feel that I have more than my share of good friends. Why, Elizabeth told me something that Miss Wood said that was very nice - think of that! I tell you I ought to be a pretty good girl to make up for all these kindnesses that came to me from all sides.
How much you'll enjoy Ida's visit. I am very glad for you, and wish I might meet her.
I hope to get a good lot of studying done next week. Tell me about Rhetoric. When you choose domestic work, choose something for me. I'd like something easy & quick, of course. If possible, glasses or cups after breakfast or dinner. Nothing that comes three times a day anyway - you can tell pretty well what I'd like. Of course I'll have to take what I can get. Never sweeping or better-dishes! 'Most any thing else.
About rooms, we've discussed that so much that you know as well as I what I want.
In regard to either matter, I shan't quarrel with you enough to need Elizabeth's intervention.
How goes everything with you? Do you enjoy rooming alone?
Mamma seems more like herself to-day, so I feel better. I've been so worried about her ever since I came home. Poor dear - she's been so heroic through it all!
Well, meeting must be over! I really must go to work on my Alcestis.
Good Night
Lucy.
