Wellesley Hills
Aug 29. '84My dear Gertrude
It is not my usual custom to answer letters as soon as this but you were such a naughty child in your letter as to make me feel obliged to do so. You say that I am going to Wellesley College. Now dear, I never told you that I was certainly going, but that I thought of it.
You wrote me so many items of news about the girls that I feared you would [...] from them that I was at the college, and my letters after Sept would be addressed there. I have no intention of going there in Sept if I do go it will be later in the year. At present home looks too attractive to me. When Laura was here I tried to persuade her to come to the college this year, and she wanted to dreadfully, but she thinks if anyone goes to school this year it should be Allie. I told her we would go together or else she could spend the year with us and we would be day pupils. I shall always be so glad Laura came for now we are real friends and we were not at the Sem.
Thank you for your letter, it was just your breezy self. I got it at the office on my way to take cars for Boston and as I had to ride part of the way alone, your letter refreshed me. Thank you for the bits of news. Some items were very new, others I had heard as I hear from some of the girls but of course from not as many as you do.
I am glad Fan Fitch has gotten established somewhere, for she is such a restless creature. Was so sorry to hear that Greta. isn't well, and I should think you would be worried about her for there certainly is cause to be.
Have you plans for next year? if so do tell me. Blanch wrote yesterday that as soon as her plans were fully settled she should tell me. She said perhaps Maude her sister would to to the Sem. but she thought not.
I have enjoyed the summer much. It has been quiet, but I have had things here just as I wanted. You know Auntie went to Vermont in July and I have kept house ever since. Lizzie, the girl is the kindest girl and will do every thing for me, and I have had company all the time, and have managed to have the best sort of a time.
I have had occasional visits from Uncle C. who would come home to see how I was progressing. He is coming tonight and I try to have things so attractive that he wont think so very much about Auntie not being here. I should have been in Vermont myself but we are having a small addition built on the house and it seemed necessary for me to remain at home. I could well give up my visit if I could be of use to such friends as Auntie & Uncle C.
Auntie's flowers are lovely and I have just gathered a quantity of every shade of aster to send her for her to enjoy on Sunday. My friend Hattie, who graduated at college goes next Monday to hold a fine position as teacher. I shall miss her so much, and wish I could do something well myself. But it seems the thing for me to be in my home this year.
I had read that article you mentioned in Geo. Fuller and admired him much. Wish I could have seen the exhibition of his pictures. Am so glad for Edith, am going to write her today. As you say she will be a success. I think so of her more than of any girl in the class almost[.]
I have taken to this kind of paper, rather a cheat as I only write on one side. In your next letter write me more of yourself instead of others.
Very truly yrs
Carrie[Carrie wrote on translucent paper; if she wrote on both sides, it would be very hard for Gertrude to read.]