31 Ivy StreetOh my dear Abbie, such news as I have for you! Just as I was about to write you that the closing at Denison House would be Wednesday next, and that Katherine Lee Bates is to speak, I have to take back the invitation. And I was looking forward with the greatest pleasure to having you with me! Tuesday, last, had a class at Denison House to help out one of the workers who is ill. I mentioned that you were coming with me next week, and an added welcome was to be given you. Miss Mackintosh said she would be so much pleased to have you come.
Well! - there it is - a lost opportunity because I am going to Farmington Conn. Monday morning at 915. One of the teachers has been taken ill or something and knowing that I was at leisure, somebody sent for me. The message came over the telephone this morning. As it is a mighty pleasant school, and as I have nothing much to do for a couple months, I decided to go at once. So Abby dear, instead of doing delightful stunts with you and others, this spring, I shall be teaching shall and will and the unattached participle! But it seemed nice to go, the school is comfortable, Miss Porter's, and I have one or two friends there.
There, too, I wanted to give you information about rooms in Dr Hooker's house. I wrote to her the same day that your request came but the mails bring me nothing. I trust that neither the good lady or her Buff Orpingtons have met with any trouble. As I told you we did not feel sure about location or size of closets on the 3rd floor.
Don't you want to go to Denison House anyway with [sic] me. You and any other person would be just as welcome. Do go - the meeting is at 8 P.M. Denison House is, as you don't others know, at 93 Tyler Street.
I shall write you about South Hadley matters just as soon as I have the desired particulars. My mail will be forwarded promptly to Farmington.
With sadness, I say good night for I know what I am giving up -
Thursday evening [April 20, 1911]
[A second letter was enclosed in the envelope.]
31 Ivy St. Boston,
April 22.Dear Abby,
Of course I hoped for information a little more definite when Miss Hooker's letter came. She says the closet in No 6 is very large - so large that she could easily cut a door through it, thus giving you entrance into your suite if you should take the room. This is next to Miss Smith's room as you know. All the rooms on the 2nd floor, left for consideration are $2.50 per week. There is an option pending on No 4.
On the 3rd floor there is no 7 - in the main building, and No 11 and No 12 in the wing over your suite. Miss Hooker says the closets are comfortably large in all of them. Rooms No 9 and 10 are partly promised, no 8 Miss Galt has, so that leaves No 7 next to the water-tank, and as I have said, No 11 and No 12 in the wing. Of course we have to save a room or two for ourselves and our cook. Goodness knows where we shall sleep in such times like Jubilee and Commencement. Do as Miss Hooker did, I suppose sleep on the window-seat!
The rooms on the 3rd floor are $2 each, per week. This means, of course, complete care of same.
I enjoyed the account you sent of the flat dwellers and their dilemma!
Write me next at Farmington Connecticut.
Most sincerely
Eva MellorP.S. If you want No 6 - and the price or anything else about it is not satisfactory let me know. We want to do the best we can.
[Also enclosed was a lightly penciled plan of the 2nd and 3rd floors with the rooms numbered.]