A Letter written on Jan 8, 1918

350 East 146th Street
New York, N.Y.
January 8, 1918

My dear Miss Turner,

Ever since I heard of the fire, I have been wondering if you remember the time - years ago - when you remarked to some of us who were devouring marmalade and cookies that you hoped Williston would burn sometime. I had forgotten the incident entirely until word came of the fulfillment of your wish, if it can be given such a cheerful name.

Truly, I am sorry for you and the rest of your department. Those "labs" never were marvels of convenience, but I imagine that you will be tempted to eugolize [sic] upon them many times in the next six months. Not long ago I went through a new Science Building and longed to give Holyoke a few of the things that I saw. Now I know that I shall be called upon to live my generous impulses.

My sister, Marian, tells me that you were chief cook and bottle washer at the event. I can well imagine you in your orchestra seat. It is too bad that you didn't have time to get out everything as you used to hope. However, I know that you will go right on teaching physiology, as well and even better than before, with only a little of the apparatus. I should trust you in any emergency.

It is fortunate for you that I am not planing [sic] to visit college soon, or I might be tempted to quarrel with you. I hear that you have been slandering my willowy form by the libellous term "chubby." Do you think that is polite?

With hearty good wishes for the year, in spite of its present hardships, I am,

As ever,
Helen M. Voorhees