Gene Webster Fullscreen Long-legged uncle (1912)

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I haven't mentioned any lessons of late; but we are still having them every day.

It's sort of a relief though, to get away from them and discuss life in the large—rather one-sided discussions that you and I hold, but that's your own fault.

You are welcome to answer back any time you choose.

I've been writing this letter off and on for three days, and I fear by now vous etes bien bored!

Goodbye, nice Mr. Man, Judy

Mr. Daddy-Long-Legs Smith,

SIR: Having completed the study of argumentation and the science of dividing a thesis into heads, I have decided to adopt the following form for letter-writing.

It contains all necessary facts, but no unnecessary verbiage.

I.

We had written examinations this week in: A. Chemistry.

B. History.

II.

A new dormitory is being built.

A.

Its material is: (a) red brick. (b) grey stone.

B.

Its capacity will be: (a) one dean, five instructors. (b) two hundred girls. (c) one housekeeper, three cooks, twenty waitresses, twenty chambermaids.

III.

We had junket for dessert tonight.

IV.

I am writing a special topic upon the Sources of Shakespeare's Plays.

V.

Lou McMahon slipped and fell this afternoon at basket ball, and she: A. Dislocated her shoulder.

B. Bruised her knee.

VI.

I have a new hat trimmed with: A. Blue velvet ribbon.

B. Two blue quills.

C. Three red pompoms.

VII.

It is half past nine.

VIII.

Good night.

Judy

2nd June

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

You will never guess the nice thing that has happened.

The McBrides have asked me to spend the summer at their camp in the Adirondacks!

They belong to a sort of club on a lovely little lake in the middle of the woods.

The different members have houses made of logs dotted about among the trees, and they go canoeing on the lake, and take long walks through trails to other camps, and have dances once a week in the club house—Jimmie McBride is going to have a college friend visiting him part of the summer, so you see we shall have plenty of men to dance with.

Wasn't it sweet of Mrs. McBride to ask me?

It appears that she liked me when I was there for Christmas.

Please excuse this being short.

It isn't a real letter; it's just to let you know that I'm disposed of for the summer.

Yours, In a VERY contented frame of mind, Judy

5th June

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

Your secretary man has just written to me saying that Mr. Smith prefers that I should not accept Mrs. McBride's invitation, but should return to Lock Willow the same as last summer.

Why, why, WHY, Daddy?

You don't understand about it.

Mrs. McBride does want me, really and truly.