A Letter Written on Apr 15, 1916

214 Gould Hall,
E. Northfield, Mass,
Apr 15, 1916.

Dear mother:

I meant to have told you last week I could not take Botany. Seniors are not allowed to, so I put German I on my schedule and was immediately called up. Miss Ayer thought I had to have it for college and as the course here is changed to four years, one year wouldn't be accepted as a full years work, but when she saw I was just taking it because I wanted to she said it was all right but she thought it would make a pretty heavy schedule but I guess I shall survive.

I didn't get a chance to by [sic] hair elastics so when you send my yellow & white middies and sport skirt would you send me some? I also find I need one new under vest and some paper to write home on and envelopes. I wish you could make me another collar and cuff set to wear on the orange scotch gingham dress. I don't like the ones on it, do you? There I guess I've got to the end of the list of my woes.

How is Harold? I hope his sprain won't interfere with his debating. By the way when does his commencement take place. Is it a week or two weeks after ours? The girls want me to stay up here a week this summer with them in a cottage on the ridge.

The Seniors had their graduation pictures taken Monday. Betty wore Dot's waist Marion's skirt, my shoes, silk stockings and underclothes. "Some rig, yes?" The man posed some of them sitting in the window seat holding some flowers and with melaine [?] floating all around them. Shall I have mine taken that way? It's very artistic!

Did you know a German Spy had been arrested in Turner's Falls? Pretty near us, isn't it? I told you, I think, how Mr. Daley found out last year that the German prof at Hermon was a spy. He is in Germany now, a captain. Miss Thompson's neighbor is a German woman. She has a married sister in Germany. Last week she received a censored letter (the German people themselves don't know their letters are censored) in which she said she wished she would live to see someone would shoot the Kaiser and told of the suffering. The American-German couldn't read all she said about it, because it was supposed to be crossed out so no one could read it. On the back the censor wrote "your sister died at six o'clock this morning." Miss Thompson saw the letter so it's true. Tell Stuart. I think it's about time he lost his German sentiments.

Tomorrow night I am going to have luncheon at Weston with Beatrice, dear Charlottes roommate. What will happen next?!

I expect the arbutus will be well out next Sunday. Ask Miss Hubbard if she really meant it when she said she would come up. I wish she would. Harold can come as soon as he finishes his debate business. Don't back out of coming please! Other girls' folks do. I have lost five pounds. Horray! but I have 2 cold sores!

Lots of love,
Ruth.

When did you mail your letter? I got it Monday noon. R. M.