A Letter Written around May 19, 1906

[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]

'09 Mt Holyoke College

Dear Hazel, -

Had you given up all hope of ever hearing from me again? I don't know what I shall do about my correspondence. I have eighteen friends that must be on the verge of never speaking to me again for I've owed them letters for months. I've only written two since I came back, except to the family.

Isn't this weather dreadful! We haven't any more energy than a piece of furniture. Several girls painted in classes today. I thought of you walking up Hapgood hill in the dust; I hope you haven't been up to any such tricks. How is your mother? I have heard from her through mother and I judge she improves slowly. I do hope she isn't in bed this awful weather; I hadn't heard lately. Please give her my love and remember me to the others. (You know how we always get those things remembrances in first when we visit each other.)

Is there "anything doing" at home? I read very carefully all accounts of ball games and I should think the team was doing pretty well. They play in Amherst to-morrow; just think of it, so near and yet so far, for I have a recitation at two o'clock and a rehearsal that I "dassn't" miss at four in the afternoon. And if I could skip those I'd have to hunt up an old chaperone. You would think they'd all be flattered to be asked to an A.H.S. base-ball game but really you've no idea how indifferent they are; they don't seem to see the honor at all. I think the only thing they really like to be chaperone to, is a good play at the theatre with a crowd of girls. I suppose they don't feel as if they were third party there.

They The Atholites are having a hard time deciding how to build their schools, aren't they? I think I like the old A.H.S. just as it is, to be used only for high school purposes. Probably they will do that in the end. Been having any dances? We danced at the Freshman-Senior reception the other night but it is so stupid dancing with girls. How is the expressman? I should think a ride with him would be rather nice when it is so hot.

There is a lot going on here now. We had our Freshman frolic last week, a great event for us. The Sophomores always try to get in, and they also try to get into our rooms and raise the mischief with them. Well, the Sophomores in our hall thought they would be real clever and they stole all our keys, over a month ago. - Just a few days before the frolic we found those keys, but we didn't say a word. We took the tags all off our keys and put them on other keys, (closet keys, bathroom keys, any old thing) and left those in their place. (Mo The college keys are all the same size.) So they didn't get into a single room. And not a single Soph. got into the folic either. We had it in a long low building used in the fall as a store. We all had passwords and were pulled in one at a time through a window at the back. Of course, the Sophs found out and came down full force around the window, but the Juniors helped us and we got through all right. Then we just had a grand good time, danced and sang, played silly games etc. till ten. It was great sport.

But I'm afraid you are getting tired. I'll be home June twenty-first. Write if you have time. (I shouldn't be a bit cross if you never did again)

Lovingly
Ethel.