Dear Peg,I have just inhaled much brimstone and sulphur smell from hanging too closely over a match when I lit it. However, that is but an incident of the day.
Enclosed please find sketch that my artist comrade Beanie, did. [no longer with the letter] You know perhaps what was the original. Frank, Frat and Beans saw it, and they tho't it dear. And Beans was particularly interested, and thrilled. She wanted to copy the thing, so I let her. She spent most of late Sunday afternoon doing it - she made 4 copies, this is the second. The first was torn up. The 3rd I have - it's another pen & ink, very like this one, only a bit better done. The fourth is a pencil, I'd like to have you see, if you would send it back. It's best of all, altho' unfinished, due to the lateness of the hour.
You mustn't feel horrified about my showing these pictures, particularly to El, as she doesn't know you or Bill. Thus the pictures aren't personal to her - only symbolical.
The peculiar delight the pictures hold for me, is that they seem so much like thee. (not Bill so much so) even if they do copy thee from a photo.
- John was awfully mad that night. People had been talking to him, and arousing his pride and anger, jealousy, everything. He had had too many councillors, and had listened to too much public gossip. So he was bitter.
But I was arrayed in Beans' blue dress, it fitted me suavely and well; the blue of it was good for my eyes. My hair was perfect to the last soft curl. And I was disposed to be tractable.
Even at that we fenced at first - John being sardonic, I, too casual. Finally we were fighting scandalously. But I remained reasonable and pretty generous I tho't. And pretty soon we began to make peace, of a sort.
And then John told me again how much he wanted me. And I had to tell him I didn't love him a bit - not any man, as for that. He said that then he had as good, if not a better chance than anyone else. I told him I wanted to be fair to him; that perhaps it would be better if he stopped seeing me. But he said no.
And Peg - this is for private consumption - of course we were alone, by the fire light. It was too much for John's peace and equilibrium. For suddenly, fast and rather fiercely he said "I love you, love you - you know I love you, Mary" and hid his face against my heart (probably. that location anyway), and held me, somehow. I didn't, - couldn't - move for a second or so - I held my breath and wondered what to do - and then he kissed me, altho' I was struggling then, rather dazedly.
And I said "Oh don't" but I didn't fall upon him in any [...] fury, for I felt sorry. I could have kissed him, to make him happier, had I tho't it best for him. I felt rather maternal, and disturbed.
I must cease this, and fall to doing Greek, and an English outline. Also, when Mid Years are safely past I can grow verbose again and write many letters.
Frat and I saw Moth the day we left. I went out to Temple, and got her. Then we came back, and had lunch with Frat in Broadstreet.
Tell mother I saw the eye doctor. He tho't my eyes would be all right until Easter, but then my glasses might have to be changed.
Snow is still falling here. I have taken one or two snow pictures and if they are any good I'll send you copies.
We are spending our afternoons in outdoor sports; coasting, skating, snowshowing [sic] and skiing. Our gym class has to take siing. I have no skis so Frat is sending for her sisters for me, and I am to get some sking [sic] used, which can be used for snowshowing too. More foot wear, but my laundry bill for the last three weeks was only 83¢, which was a surprise and comfort.
There are one or two crumbs of cookies left & no lemon butter. Do send more of each if you can - they were such a comfort.
With dearest love