Room 134, Mt. Holyoke. My Dear Sister Chillie: [Gertrude's little sister; about 10 years old]I forgot to which of you I am indebted for a letter. I mean you all anyway!
Only two more days and vacation begins, it is very short only a little over a week. There will be about thirty girls stay[ing], we are [...] all going to move our worldly belongings into the South wing so we can be to gether. Belle McElvaine my bright-witty friend from Ohio is going to stay also our poet Mary Hill. We have planned to have reading circles private theatrical caasting [sic] parties, how much of our programme will be carried out remains to be seen.
Three superanneated teachers are going to stay to keep us in proper spirits. No doubt we will be well looked after. One of them is my especial antipathy and with my unreal good luck, she brought her work and spent an evening with us a few days ago, said she hope[d] to see a great deal of me in vacation. She has a watchful eye, and her powers for investigation are abnormally developed. A shade of sadness comes o'er me. I'm afraid my doom is sealed.
I'll forewarn you that my financial condition is such that my Christmas presents this year will be limited. I've been making an effort but didn't succeed very well had to have some one help me out.
It is recess over at the public school, they are having a regular snowball battle, bless their dear hearts I'd like to run over and play with them. The other day when we were out walking, I accosted a bright little Yankee, he answered "what ma'm": that's what every body up here says for ma'm.
I am going to send some in vacation and I wish you would send me some pieces of my navy blue dress, to patch it with, as there is a painful need of some such an arrangement.
Tell May [their little sister; about 9 years old] I have had some jolly laughs over her funny little letter will write you all long letters in vacation.
Good bye have a good time, hope you will enjoy vacation, I want you all to write to me during vacation.
Your Loving sister
Gertrude