The ping pong ball made that smear so you must excuse it. There is a set of ping pong going on in the middle of the dining-room but you know that doesn't mean that the balls stay there.
As I just said to Will & John, "The rest have said everything so there is not anything left for me to say." Rule - Everyone must read what everyone else says and not say the same thing[.] This is to be a round robin letter so you must thank me for saying that before anyone else had a chance. Now I really am going to leave something for them to say so good bye,
Constance A.B.
Dear Jen;
I have heard hardly a word from either your or Marguerite since the walk to the trolley the morning you left. Just a word once in a while when I happen to come across Ella is all I have learned of you two. I suppose though that you have settled down to hard study by this time. (Excepting when you lay off for a time at night for a "Roughhouse".
Well there hasn't been much going on here since school began, but to-night we few are making up for lost time, playing ping-pong, eating fudge and trying to keep this letter going. They have just brought the fudge in and I am making dreadful outs [?] at this writing, rather blotting. I said that I would scratch a line to you this time so please consider this the first, and write soon telling us all about what is going on up there.
Lewis Schaaff
Well sis! If [...] said when it is said 't'were better it were done quickly - but woe alas! I suppose I'll have to answer your letter of Wednesday whether I write this or eat fudge. I fear by the time I get to the end of this stunt or rather when you get through reading my "stint", you'll wish I'd chosen the t'other evil. With the rabble of the Olcott family it is hard to write a letter and be sure you know what you are writing but I say! its easy sailing compared to doing it with this bunch - ping-pong, and fudge to the odds - I believe no one has told you but its Saturday night and we are in the Backus dining room - I just happened to look at the clock and as the small hand is at ten and the large one makes an angle of 120° - clockwise - 'Nough ced - or the rest will not get their time - am trying to deliver those numerous messages - Ella.
I hope you've gotten along alright with every body and every thing that is, I hope there [sic] getting along alright with you. I am feeling pretty bum as every body has beat me at ping-pong. Margaret ate some of her cake and was unable to get over here. To come back to myself, I have been getting along nicely except when Had. gets me to get stung so that I can pull out the sting and give it to her. Dear me I can't write while they're talking so. Jim.
P.S. all the rest calls [sic] me James but the above the the [sic] unabridged revised edition
High Jennie. They are all fussing so I think I must be standing on my head and writing with a side comb. I would say hair pin (it is more better to write with) but I have lost most of them playing ping pong. And the fudge! It is good. Sounds tame doesn't it? Well you ought to taste it. In one corner are "Hats" (That means Constance and Ella talking). In another is May writing to Will and John. Gallivanting in all corners, crevices and through the middle of the room are Lewis and Jamie playing ping pong. Remember to write
Hadassah.
Sunday - - - - I had to go home before my turn came around last night, so am taking it today. Well, that wonderful ping pong game is over, no more scrambling under the table and clock for balls. I ate so much fudge last night that I felt like saying. "Jemina ate jelly roll, Jemina ate jam," etc.
Jennie, you haven't fulfilled your promise yet. I have been looking every day for a letter from you. Now I want you to write soon. Dinner is ready so Good-bye
May.
Dear Jennie:
Thank you for the letter I got yesterday. Who said that you didn't write interesting letters? I keep all that I get from you for they have so much of interest in them that I like to read them over. I expected to answer it today but Sunday is always so full when we have Church and Sunday-shool [sic] in the after noon that I have only time to study my lesson and get ready for church besides the regular duties - you see I wasn't over at the Backus' last night so am do [sic] my share today - after church.
Ella wants me to take the infant class. At first I didn't want to but I finally dicided [sic] to as I don't like the Bible class this year as well as Past. Mr Clingman tried to get me to as he said it was a very important work. Whe! I feel puffed up I don't get such praise often.
You ought to see the pillows Constance and I are making for the boys.. She is making a firey red on a white back. The first name is in black and the next in blue and so on. It doesn't look patchy.
In the original it's a little more even. [...] John has a W.H.S. pillow given him when he graduated so the boys ought to have enough to start out with. Don't you think? We can add Christmas Oh yes! The boys expect to get into Washington December 20 at 11 P.M. - It would be fine to meet them at Philadelphia. I'd write them about it if I were you. If you behave yourself, I cant see any objections to your coming down with them[.]
Mr Peters preached today. I certainly felt sorry for him. He isn't very used to talk to a lot of people I guess. He's a little nervous. Pretty good sermon for a Junior's first, though. Got a new hat (isn't that a bump though, more of a drop than you made) you ought to see it. Bright red or scarlet with a band of persian ribbon around it and then some just plain red ribbon with a rosette and a couple of black cock's tails. It's really much prettier than it sounds.
Last Thursday Ella and I tried to make our party call at Ada's. I told her we would be Jenny and Ada Larrich in the morning and Ella and Margaret in the afternoon, so we were going to do it up for all. But we didn't go - I'll tell you next time when I have more room. Must write in Will's and John's now. Good bye. Be a good little girl until I write next. Your sincere friend with love - Margaret Plant.