Monday, P.M.
Sept. 26."/81.My dear Gertrude
I feel sure you will excuse a pencil this time because I am driven out ofdoors by the heat and couldn't conveniently bring ink.
This is a day by itself here. Dr. Tyler preached a tine sermon this A.M. and we went to church this afternoon. It is too inscrutable to talk about, is it not, the sacrifice of such a man. I think one way to feel reconciled is to think that his noble character would never have been so fully impressed on the people, if they had not watched about his suffering and thought of all his grand life day by day.
You know of course that Mary Hill is back and can imagine how she enjoys Pauline.
I am going to ask them and Mattie and Annie to read Ebers "Princess" half an hour an evening with me before I go to Florida. We shall need you and Lillian to make us all quite content but it will be very nice I am sure. Shall be sorry to be here while you are, so little this year, but shall be glad to see you the last part of the summer term. I have visions of orange blossoms that are bewildering. Expect never to have a bad cold again after the baling [?] air of the smith. Find myself extremely busy this fall, and am thankful enough for sufficient strength to work all the time. The girls are lovingly kind to me, but I am through letting girls get very near to me. I don't think I can do anything particular for any of these who love me some now in that way, and it hurts me too much to miss the tender thoughtfulness of last year to let any one else be anything like that.
I am strong-minded you see. Are you not glad? Have been much interested in Richard Grant White's "Every Day English." I fancy you had a rare time housekeeping and entertaining your friends.
I am glad you have many pleasant friends everywhere. Have asked your Pauline to add a note to this because I knew you would like it.
Oh, this is a lovely world, if it is warm at times, and there is much to do and be in it, and heaps of chances to begin again. I feel like starting out newly this year in many ways, and sort of uncertain about what I shall do by and by, but quite courageous for most anything. Have changed the things about in my little castle so that you would stop a minute if you were dusting [?] tomorrow and wonder if you were obliged to stop at the wrong place.
I think if it were really you, I should find my fine resolves all melted away and I should hold out my arms to you and fly into yours if you insisted on it. I have just been reading over for I don't know what time your dear good letter. I meant to send you a long splendid one in reply, but I don't like to wait longer and I'll write a better one next time. I have some things on my mind of which I may speak to you when I see you, but I can't write about them. Several masculines have risen to the surface and molested me this summer and this quiet vale is a delightful retreat. Am going up to see Mattie a minute now, because she doesn't feel well today and she misses lots of folks this year. I suppose the girls must have told you all the little items of Sem'y news and I won't repeat them. I have five more victims to drag through Grammar and Analysis yet.
Am having a nice time with History this year. The chart is driving me, because I was sick with a cold on my lungs and couldn't come back till Saturday after school began. I have to be very careful and that is why I must go south this winter. I expect I must not sit on the ground any more, and Miss Clapp has been calling to me to come over under the great tree in her hammock with her, Miss Melvin has just left it and Miss Steele and Lottie were in there too a few minutes ago. There is a funny girl here who says she isn't good, she's a fine sinner. Bless her honest heart, I pressed a little forget-me-not to send to you, but I can't find it today.
Always loving you -
Clara W. Wood.