TOYOU
　　BlueWednesdayThefirstWednesdayineverymonthwasaPerfectlyAwfulDay——adaytobeawaitedwithdread，enduredwithcourageandforgottenwithhaste。
　　Everyfloormustbespotless，everychairdustless，andeverybedwithoutawrinkle。Ninety-sevensquirminglittleorphansmustbescrubbedandcombedandbuttonedintofreshlystarchedginghams;
　　andallninety-sevenremindedoftheirmanners，andtoldtosay，`Yes，sir，’`No，sir，’wheneveraTrusteespoke。
　　Itwasadistressingtime;andpoorJerushaAbbott，beingtheoldestorphan，hadtobearthebruntofit。ButthisparticularfirstWednesday，likeitspredecessors，finallydraggeditselftoaclose。Jerushaescapedfromthepantrywhereshehadbeenmakingsandwichesfortheasylum’sguests，andturnedupstairstoaccomplishherregularwork。HerspecialcarewasroomF，whereelevenlittletots，fromfourtoseven，occupiedelevenlittlecotssetinarow。Jerushaassembledhercharges，straightenedtheirrumpledfrocks，wipedtheirnoses，andstartedtheminanorderlyandwillinglinetowardsthedining-roomtoengagethemselvesforablessedhalfhourwithbreadandmilkandprunepudding。
　　Thenshedroppeddownonthewindowseatandleanedthrobbingtemplesagainstthecoolglass。Shehadbeenonherfeetsincefivethatmorning，doingeverybody’sbidding，scoldedandhurriedbyanervousmatron。
　　Mrs。Lippett，behindthescenes，didnotalwaysmaintainthatcalmandpompousdignitywithwhichshefacedanaudienceofTrusteesandladyvisitors。Jerushagazedoutacrossabroadstretchoffrozenlawn，beyondthetallironpalingthatmarkedtheconfinesoftheasylum，downundulatingridgessprinkledwithcountryestates，tothespiresofthevillagerisingfromthemidstofbaretrees。
　　Thedaywasended——quitesuccessfully，sofarassheknew。
　　TheTrusteesandthevisitingcommitteehadmadetheirrounds，andreadtheirreports，anddrunktheirtea，andnowwerehurryinghometotheirowncheerfulfiresides，toforgettheirbothersomelittlechargesforanothermonth。Jerushaleanedforwardwatchingwithcuriosity——andatouchofwistfulness——thestreamofcarriagesandautomobilesthatrolledoutoftheasylumgates。
　　Inimaginationshefollowedfirstoneequipage，thenanother，tothebighousesdottedalongthehillside。Shepicturedherselfinafurcoatandavelvethattrimmedwithfeathersleaningbackintheseatandnonchalantlymurmuring`Home’tothedriver。
　　Butonthedoor-sillofherhomethepicturegrewblurred。
　　Jerushahadanimagination——animagination，Mrs。Lippetttoldher，thatwouldgetherintotroubleifshedidn’ttakecare——butkeenasitwas，itcouldnotcarryherbeyondthefrontporchofthehousesshewouldenter。Poor，eager，adventurouslittleJerusha，inallherseventeenyears，hadneversteppedinsideanordinaryhouse;
　　shecouldnotpicturethedailyroutineofthoseotherhumanbeingswhocarriedontheirlivesundiscommodedbyorphans。
　　Je-ru-shaAb-bottYouarewan-tedIntheof-fice，AndIthinkyou’dBetterhurryup！
　　TommyDillon，whohadjoinedthechoir，camesingingupthestairsanddownthecorridor，hischantgrowinglouderasheapproachedroomF。Jerushawrenchedherselffromthewindowandrefacedthetroublesoflife。
　　`Whowantsme？’shecutintoTommy’schantwithanoteofsharpanxiety。
　　Mrs。Lippettintheoffice，AndIthinkshe’smad。
　　Ah-a-men！
　　Tommypiouslyintoned，buthisaccentwasnotentirelymalicious。
　　Eventhemosthardenedlittleorphanfeltsympathyforanerringsisterwhowassummonedtotheofficetofaceanannoyedmatron;
　　andTommylikedJerushaevenifshedidsometimesjerkhimbythearmandnearlyscrubhisnoseoff。
　　Jerushawentwithoutcomment，butwithtwoparallellinesonherbrow。
　　Whatcouldhavegonewrong，shewondered。Werethesandwichesnotthinenough？Werethereshellsinthenutcakes？HadaladyvisitorseentheholeinSusieHawthorn’sstocking？Had——Ohorrors！——
　　oneofthecherubiclittlebabesinherownroomF`sauced’aTrustee？
　　Thelonglowerhallhadnotbeenlighted，andasshecamedownstairs，alastTrusteestood，onthepointofdeparture，intheopendoorthatledtotheporte-cochere。Jerushacaughtonlyafleetingimpressionoftheman——andtheimpressionconsistedentirelyoftallness。
　　Hewaswavinghisarmtowardsanautomobilewaitinginthecurveddrive。
　　Asitsprangintomotionandapproached，headonforaninstant，theglaringheadlightsthrewhisshadowsharplyagainstthewallinside。
　　Theshadowpicturedgrotesquelyelongatedlegsandarmsthatranalongthefloorandupthewallofthecorridor。Itlooked，foralltheworld，likeahuge，waveringdaddy-long-legs。
　　Jerusha’sanxiousfrowngaveplacetoquicklaughter。Shewasbynatureasunnysoul，andhadalwayssnatchedthetiniestexcusetobeamused。
　　IfonecouldderiveanysortofentertainmentoutoftheoppressivefactofaTrustee，itwassomethingunexpectedtothegood。
　　Sheadvancedtotheofficequitecheeredbythetinyepisode，andpresentedasmilingfacetoMrs。Lippett。Tohersurprisethematronwasalso，ifnotexactlysmiling，atleastappreciablyaffable;
　　sheworeanexpressionalmostaspleasantastheoneshedonnedforvisitors。
　　`Sitdown，Jerusha，Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。’Jerushadroppedintothenearestchairandwaitedwithatouchofbreathlessness。
　　Anautomobileflashedpastthewindow;Mrs。Lippettglancedafterit。
　　`Didyounoticethegentlemanwhohasjustgone？’
　　`Isawhisback。’
　　`HeisoneofourmostaffluentialTrustees，andhasgivenlargesumsofmoneytowardstheasylum’ssupport。Iamnotatlibertytomentionhisname;heexpresslystipulatedthathewastoremainunknown。’
　　Jerusha’seyeswidenedslightly;shewasnotaccustomedtobeingsummonedtotheofficetodiscusstheeccentricitiesofTrusteeswiththematron。
　　`Thisgentlemanhastakenaninterestinseveralofourboys。
　　YourememberCharlesBentonandHenryFreize？TheywerebothsentthroughcollegebyMr。——er——thisTrustee，andbothhaverepaidwithhardworkandsuccessthemoneythatwassogenerouslyexpended。
　　Otherpaymentthegentlemandoesnotwish。Heretoforehisphilanthropieshavebeendirectedsolelytowardstheboys;
　　Ihaveneverbeenabletointeresthimintheslightestdegreeinanyofthegirlsintheinstitution，nomatterhowdeserving。
　　Hedoesnot，Imaytellyou，careforgirls。’
　　`No，ma’am，’Jerushamurmured，sincesomereplyseemedtobeexpectedatthispoint。
　　`To-dayattheregularmeeting，thequestionofyourfuturewasbroughtup。’
　　Mrs。Lippettallowedamomentofsilencetofall，thenresumedinaslow，placidmannerextremelytryingtoherhearer’ssuddenlytightenednerves。
　　`Usually，asyouknow，thechildrenarenotkeptaftertheyaresixteen，butanexceptionwasmadeinyourcase。Youhadfinishedourschoolatfourteen，andhavingdonesowellinyourstudies——notalways，Imustsay，inyourconduct——itwasdeterminedtoletyougooninthevillagehighschool。Nowyouarefinishingthat，andofcoursetheasylumcannotberesponsibleanylongerforyoursupport。
　　Asitis，youhavehadtwoyearsmorethanmost。’
　　Mrs。LippettoverlookedthefactthatJerushahadworkedhardforherboardduringthosetwoyears，thattheconvenienceoftheasylumhadcomefirstandhereducationsecond;
　　thatondayslikethepresentshewaskeptathometoscrub。
　　`AsIsay，thequestionofyourfuturewasbroughtupandyourrecordwasdiscussed——thoroughlydiscussed。’
　　Mrs。Lippettbroughtaccusingeyestobearupontheprisonerinthedock，andtheprisonerlookedguiltybecauseitseemedtobeexpected——
　　notbecauseshecouldrememberanystrikinglyblackpagesinherrecord。
　　`Ofcoursetheusualdispositionofoneinyourplacewouldbetoputyouinapositionwhereyoucouldbegintowork，butyouhavedonewellinschoolincertainbranches;itseemsthatyourworkinEnglishhasevenbeenbrilliant。MissPritchard，whoisonourvisitingcommittee，isalsoontheschoolboard;shehasbeentalkingwithyourrhetoricteacher，andmadeaspeechinyourfavour。
　　Shealsoreadaloudanessaythatyouhadwrittenentitled，"BlueWednesday"。’
　　Jerusha’sguiltyexpressionthistimewasnotassumed。
　　`Itseemedtomethatyoushowedlittlegratitudeinholdinguptoridiculetheinstitutionthathasdonesomuchforyou。HadyounotmanagedtobefunnyIdoubtifyouwouldhavebeenforgiven。
　　Butfortunatelyforyou，Mr。——，thatis，thegentlemanwhohasjustgone——appearstohaveanimmoderatesenseofhumour。
　　Onthestrengthofthatimpertinentpaper，hehasofferedtosendyoutocollege。’
　　`Tocollege？’Jerusha’seyesgrewbig。Mrs。Lippettnodded。
　　`Hewaitedtodiscussthetermswithme。Theyareunusual。
　　Thegentleman，Imaysay，iserratic。Hebelievesthatyouhaveoriginality，andheisplanningtoeducateyoutobecomeawriter。’
　　`Awriter？’Jerusha’smindwasnumbed。ShecouldonlyrepeatMrs。
　　Lippett’swords。
　　`Thatishiswish。Whetheranythingwillcomeofit，thefuturewillshow。Heisgivingyouaveryliberalallowance，almost，foragirlwhohasneverhadanyexperienceintakingcareofmoney，tooliberal。
　　Butheplannedthematterindetail，andIdidnotfeelfreetomakeanysuggestions。Youaretoremainherethroughthesummer，andMissPritchardhaskindlyofferedtosuperintendyouroutfit。
　　Yourboardandtuitionwillbepaiddirectlytothecollege，andyouwillreceiveinadditionduringthefouryearsyouarethere，anallowanceofthirty-fivedollarsamonth。Thiswillenableyoutoenteronthesamestandingastheotherstudents。Themoneywillbesenttoyoubythegentleman’sprivatesecretaryonceamonth，andinreturn，youwillwritealetterofacknowledgmentonceamonth。
　　Thatis——youarenottothankhimforthemoney;hedoesn’tcaretohavethatmentioned，butyouaretowritealettertellingoftheprogressinyourstudiesandthedetailsofyourdailylife。
　　Justsuchaletterasyouwouldwritetoyourparentsiftheywereliving。
　　`TheseletterswillbeaddressedtoMr。JohnSmithandwillbesentincareofthesecretary。Thegentleman’snameisnotJohnSmith，buthepreferstoremainunknown。ToyouhewillneverbeanythingbutJohnSmith。Hisreasoninrequiringthelettersisthathethinksnothingsofostersfacilityinliteraryexpressionasletter-writing。Sinceyouhavenofamilywithwhomtocorrespond，hedesiresyoutowriteinthisway;also，hewishestokeeptrackofyourprogress。Hewillneveransweryourletters，norintheslightestparticulartakeanynoticeofthem。
　　Hedetestsletter-writinganddoesnotwishyoutobecomeaburden。
　　Ifanypointshouldeverarisewhereananswerwouldseemtobeimperative——suchasintheeventofyourbeingexpelled，whichItrustwillnotoccur——youmaycorrespondwithMr。Griggs，hissecretary。Thesemonthlylettersareabsolutelyobligatoryonyourpart;theyaretheonlypaymentthatMr。Smithrequires，soyoumustbeaspunctiliousinsendingthemasthoughitwereabillthatyouwerepaying。Ihopethattheywillalwaysberespectfulintoneandwillreflectcreditonyourtraining。
　　YoumustrememberthatyouarewritingtoaTrusteeoftheJohnGrierHome。’
　　Jerusha’seyeslonginglysoughtthedoor。Herheadwasinawhirlofexcitement，andshewishedonlytoescapefromMrs。Lippett’splatitudesandthink。Sheroseandtookatentativestepbackwards。
　　Mrs。Lippettdetainedherwithagesture;itwasanoratoricalopportunitynottobeslighted。
　　`Itrustthatyouareproperlygratefulforthisveryraregoodfortunethathasbefallenyou？Notmanygirlsinyourpositioneverhavesuchanopportunitytoriseintheworld。Youmustalwaysremember——’
　　`I——yes，ma’am，thankyou。Ithink，ifthat’sall，ImustgoandsewapatchonFreddiePerkins’strousers。’
　　Thedoorclosedbehindher，andMrs。Lippettwatcheditwithdroppedjaw，herperorationinmid-air。
　　TheLettersofMissJerushaAbbotttoMr。Daddy-Long-LegsSmith215FERGUSSENHALL
　　24thSeptemberDearKind-Trustee-Who-Sends-Orphans-to-College，HereIam！Itravelledyesterdayforfourhoursinatrain。
　　It’safunnysensation，isn’tit？Ineverrodeinonebefore。
　　Collegeisthebiggest，mostbewilderingplace——IgetlostwheneverIleavemyroom。IwillwriteyouadescriptionlaterwhenI’mfeelinglessmuddled;alsoIwilltellyouaboutmylessons。
　　Classesdon’tbeginuntilMondaymorning，andthisisSaturdaynight。
　　ButIwantedtowritealetterfirstjusttogetacquainted。
　　Itseemsqueertobewritingletterstosomebodyyoudon’tknow。
　　Itseemsqueerformetobewritinglettersatall——I’veneverwrittenmorethanthreeorfourinmylife，sopleaseoverlookitifthesearenotamodelkind。
　　Beforeleavingyesterdaymorning，Mrs。LippettandIhadaveryserioustalk。Shetoldmehowtobehavealltherestofmylife，andespeciallyhowtobehavetowardsthekindgentlemanwhoisdoingsomuchforme。ImusttakecaretobeVeryRespectful。
　　ButhowcanonebeveryrespectfultoapersonwhowishestobecalledJohnSmith？Whycouldn’tyouhavepickedoutanamewithalittlepersonality？
　　ImightaswellwriteletterstoDearHitching-PostorDearClothes-Prop。
　　Ihavebeenthinkingaboutyouagreatdealthissummer;havingsomebodytakeaninterestinmeafteralltheseyearsmakesmefeelasthoughIhadfoundasortoffamily。ItseemsasthoughI
　　belongedtosomebodynow，andit’saverycomfortablesensation。
　　Imustsay，however，thatwhenIthinkaboutyou，myimaginationhasverylittletoworkupon。TherearejustthreethingsthatIknow：
　　I。Youaretall。
　　II。Youarerich。
　　III。Youhategirls。
　　IsupposeImightcallyouDearMr。Girl-Hater。Onlythat’sratherinsultingtome。OrDearMr。Rich-Man，butthat’sinsultingtoyou，asthoughmoneyweretheonlyimportantthingaboutyou。
　　Besides，beingrichissuchaveryexternalquality。Maybeyouwon’tstayrichallyourlife;lotsofveryclevermengetsmashedupinWallStreet。Butatleastyouwillstaytallallyourlife！
　　SoI’vedecidedtocallyouDearDaddy-Long-Legs。Ihopeyouwon’tmind。
　　It’sjustaprivatepetnamewewon’ttellMrs。Lippett。
　　Theteno’clockbellisgoingtoringintwominutes。Ourdayisdividedintosectionsbybells。Weeatandsleepandstudybybells。
　　It’sveryenlivening;Ifeellikeafirehorseallofthetime。
　　Thereitgoes！Lightsout。Goodnight。
　　ObservewithwhatprecisionIobeyrules——duetomytrainingintheJohnGrierHome。
　　Yoursmostrespectfully，JerushaAbbottToMr。Daddy-Long-LegsSmith1stOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，IlovecollegeandIloveyouforsendingme——I’mvery，veryhappy，andsoexcitedeverymomentofthetimethatIcanscarcelysleep。
　　Youcan’timaginehowdifferentitisfromtheJohnGrierHome。
　　Ineverdreamedtherewassuchaplaceintheworld。I’mfeelingsorryforeverybodywhoisn’tagirlandwhocan’tcomehere;Iamsurethecollegeyouattendedwhenyouwereaboycouldn’thavebeensonice。
　　Myroomisupinatowerthatusedtobethecontagiouswardbeforetheybuiltthenewinfirmary。Therearethreeothergirlsonthesamefloorofthetower——aSeniorwhowearsspectaclesandisalwaysaskinguspleasetobealittlemorequiet，andtwoFreshmennamedSallieMcBrideandJuliaRutledgePendleton。
　　Salliehasredhairandaturn-upnoseandisquitefriendly;
　　JuliacomesfromoneofthefirstfamiliesinNewYorkandhasn’tnoticedmeyet。TheyroomtogetherandtheSeniorandIhavesingles。
　　UsuallyFreshmencan’tgetsingles;theyareveryscarce，butIgotonewithoutevenasking。Isupposetheregistrardidn’tthinkitwouldberighttoaskaproperlybrought-upgirltoroomwithafoundling。
　　Youseethereareadvantages！
　　Myroomisonthenorth-westcornerwithtwowindowsandaview。
　　Afteryou’velivedinawardforeighteenyearswithtwentyroom-mates，itisrestfultobealone。ThisisthefirstchanceI’veeverhadtogetacquaintedwithJerushaAbbott。IthinkI’mgoingtolikeher。
　　Doyouthinkyouare？
　　TuesdayTheyareorganizingtheFreshmanbasket-ballteamandthere’sjustachancethatIshallgetinit。I’mlittleofcourse，butterriblyquickandwiryandtough。Whiletheothersarehoppingaboutintheair，Icandodgeundertheirfeetandgrabtheball。
　　It’sloadsoffunpractising——outintheathleticfieldintheafternoonwiththetreesallredandyellowandtheairfullofthesmellofburningleaves，andeverybodylaughingandshouting。
　　ThesearethehappiestgirlsIeversaw——andIamthehappiestofall！
　　ImeanttowritealongletterandtellyouallthethingsI’mlearning（Mrs。Lippettsaidyouwantedtoknow），but7thhourhasjustrung，andintenminutesI’mdueattheathleticfieldingymnasiumclothes。
　　Don’tyouhopeI’llgetintheteam？
　　Yoursalways，JerushaAbbottPS。（9o’clock。）
　　SallieMcBridejustpokedherheadinatmydoor。Thisiswhatshesaid：
　　`I’msohomesickthatIsimplycan’tstandit。Doyoufeelthatway？’
　　Ismiledalittleandsaidno;IthoughtIcouldpullthrough。
　　AtleasthomesicknessisonediseasethatI’veescaped！Ineverheardofanybodybeingasylum-sick，didyou？
　　10thOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，DidyoueverhearofMichaelAngelo？
　　HewasafamousartistwholivedinItalyintheMiddleAges。
　　EverybodyinEnglishLiteratureseemedtoknowabouthim，andthewholeclasslaughedbecauseIthoughthewasanarchangel。Hesoundslikeanarchangel，doesn’the？Thetroublewithcollegeisthatyouareexpectedtoknowsuchalotofthingsyou’veneverlearned。
　　It’sveryembarrassingattimes。Butnow，whenthegirlstalkaboutthingsthatIneverheardof，Ijustkeepstillandlookthemupintheencyclopedia。
　　Imadeanawfulmistakethefirstday。SomebodymentionedMauriceMaeterlinck，andIaskedifshewasaFreshman。
　　Thatjokehasgoneallovercollege。Butanyway，I’mjustasbrightinclassasanyoftheothers——andbrighterthansomeofthem！
　　DoyoucaretoknowhowI’vefurnishedmyroom？It’sasymphonyinbrownandyellow。Thewallwastintedbuff，andI’veboughtyellowdenimcurtainsandcushionsandamahoganydesk（secondhandforthreedollars）andarattanchairandabrownrugwithaninkspotinthemiddle。Istandthechairoverthespot。
　　Thewindowsareuphigh;youcan’tlookoutfromanordinaryseat。
　　ButIunscrewedthelooking-glassfromthebackofthebureau，upholsteredthetopandmoveditupagainstthewindow。It’sjusttherightheightforawindowseat。Youpulloutthedrawerslikestepsandwalkup。Verycomfortable！
　　SallieMcBridehelpedmechoosethethingsattheSeniorauction。
　　Shehaslivedinahouseallherlifeandknowsaboutfurnishing。
　　Youcan’timaginewhatfunitistoshopandpaywitharealfive-dollarbillandgetsomechange——whenyou’veneverhadmorethanafewcentsinyourlife。Iassureyou，Daddydear，Idoappreciatethatallowance。
　　Sallieisthemostentertainingpersonintheworld——andJuliaRutledgePendletontheleastso。It’squeerwhatamixturetheregistrarcanmakeinthematterofroom-mates。Salliethinkseverythingisfunny——evenflunking——andJuliaisboredateverything。
　　Shenevermakestheslightestefforttobeamiable。ShebelievesthatifyouareaPendleton，thatfactaloneadmitsyoutoheavenwithoutanyfurtherexamination。JuliaandIwereborntobeenemies。
　　AndnowIsupposeyou’vebeenwaitingveryimpatientlytohearwhatIamlearning？
　　I。Latin：SecondPunicwar。HannibalandhisforcespitchedcampatLakeTrasimenuslastnight。TheypreparedanambuscadefortheRomans，andabattletookplaceatthefourthwatchthismorning。
　　Romansinretreat。
　　II。French：24pagesoftheThreeMusketeersandthirdconjugation，irregularverbs。
　　III。Geometry：Finishedcylinders;nowdoingcones。
　　IV。English：Studyingexposition。Mystyleimprovesdailyinclearnessandbrevity。
　　V。Physiology：Reachedthedigestivesystem。Bileandthepancreasnexttime。Yours，onthewaytobeingeducated，JerushaAbbottPS。Ihopeyounevertouchalcohol，Daddy？Itdoesdreadfulthingstoyourliver。
　　WednesdayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，I’vechangedmyname。
　　I’mstill`Jerusha’inthecatalogue，butI’m`Judy’everywhereelse。
　　It’sreallytoobad，isn’tit，tohavetogiveyourselftheonlypetnameyoueverhad？Ididn’tquitemakeuptheJudythough。
　　That’swhatFreddyPerkinsusedtocallmebeforehecouldtalkplainly。
　　IwishMrs。Lippettwouldusealittlemoreingenuityaboutchoosingbabies’names。Shegetsthelastnamesoutofthetelephonebook——
　　you’llfindAbbottonthefirstpage——andshepickstheChristiannamesupanywhere;shegotJerushafromatombstone。I’vealwayshatedit;butIratherlikeJudy。It’ssuchasillyname。
　　ItbelongstothekindofgirlI’mnot——asweetlittleblue-eyedthing，pettedandspoiledbyallthefamily，whorompsherwaythroughlifewithoutanycares。Wouldn’titbenicetobelikethat？
　　WhateverfaultsImayhave，noonecaneveraccusemeofhavingbeenspoiledbymyfamily！Butit’sgreatfuntopretendI’vebeen。
　　InthefuturepleasealwaysaddressmeasJudy。
　　Doyouwanttoknowsomething？Ihavethreepairsofkidgloves。
　　I’vehadkidmittensbeforefromtheChristmastree，butneverrealkidgloveswithfivefingers。Itakethemoutandtrythemoneverylittlewhile。It’sallIcandonottowearthemtoclasses。
　　（Dinnerbell。Goodbye。）
　　FridayWhatdoyouthink，Daddy？TheEnglishinstructorsaidthatmylastpapershowsanunusualamountoforiginality。Shedid，truly。
　　Thosewereherwords。Itdoesn’tseempossible，doesit，consideringtheeighteenyearsoftrainingthatI’vehad？TheaimoftheJohnGrierHome（asyoudoubtlessknowandheartilyapproveof）
　　istoturntheninety-sevenorphansintoninety-seventwins。
　　TheunusualartisticabilitywhichIexhibitwasdevelopedatanearlyagethroughdrawingchalkpicturesofMrs。Lippettonthewoodsheddoor。
　　IhopethatIdon’thurtyourfeelingswhenIcriticizethehomeofmyyouth？Butyouhavetheupperhand，youknow，forifIbecometooimpertinent，youcanalwaysstoppaymentofyourcheques。
　　Thatisn’taverypolitethingtosay——butyoucan’texpectmetohaveanymanners;afoundlingasylumisn’tayoungladies’
　　finishingschool。
　　Youknow，Daddy，itisn’ttheworkthatisgoingtobehardincollege。
　　It’stheplay。HalfthetimeIdon’tknowwhatthegirlsaretalkingabout;theirjokesseemtorelatetoapastthateveryonebutmehasshared。I’maforeignerintheworldandIdon’tunderstandthelanguage。It’samiserablefeeling。I’vehaditallmylife。
　　Atthehighschoolthegirlswouldstandingroupsandjustlookatme。
　　Iwasqueeranddifferentandeverybodyknewit。IcouldFEEL
　　`JohnGrierHome’writtenonmyface。Andthenafewcharitableoneswouldmakeapointofcomingupandsayingsomethingpolite。
　　IHATEDEVERYONEOFTHEM——thecharitableonesmostofall。
　　NobodyhereknowsthatIwasbroughtupinanasylum。ItoldSallieMcBridethatmymotherandfatherweredead，andthatakindoldgentlemanwassendingmetocollegewhichisentirelytruesofarasitgoes。Idon’twantyoutothinkIamacoward，butIdowanttobeliketheothergirls，andthatDreadfulHomeloomingovermychildhoodistheonegreatbigdifference。
　　IfIcanturnmybackonthatandshutouttheremembrance，Ithink，Imightbejustasdesirableasanyothergirl。Idon’tbelievethere’sanyreal，underneathdifference，doyou？
　　Anyway，SallieMcBridelikesme！
　　Yoursever，JudyAbbott（NeeJerusha。）
　　SaturdaymorningI’vejustbeenreadingthisletteroveranditsoundsprettyun-cheerful。Butcan’tyouguessthatIhaveaspecialtopicdueMondaymorningandareviewingeometryandaverysneezycold？
　　SundayIforgottopostthisyesterday，soIwilladdanindignantpostscript。
　　Wehadabishopthismorning，andWHATDOYOUTHINKHESAID？
　　`ThemostbeneficentpromisemadeusintheBibleisthis，"Thepooryehavealwayswithyou。"Theywereputhereinordertokeepuscharitable。’
　　Thepoor，pleaseobserve，beingasortofusefuldomesticanimal。
　　IfIhadn’tgrownintosuchaperfectlady，IshouldhavegoneupafterserviceandtoldhimwhatIthought。
　　25thOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，I’minthebasket-ballteamandyououghttoseethebruiseonmyleftshoulder。It’sblueandmahoganywithlittlestreaksoforange。
　　JuliaPendletontriedfortheteam，butshedidn’tgetin。Hooray！
　　YouseewhatameandispositionIhave。
　　Collegegetsnicerandnicer。Ilikethegirlsandtheteachersandtheclassesandthecampusandthethingstoeat。Wehaveice-creamtwiceaweekandweneverhavecorn-mealmush。
　　Youonlywantedtohearfrommeonceamonth，didn’tyou？AndI’vebeenpepperingyouwithletterseveryfewdays！ButI’vebeensoexcitedaboutallthesenewadventuresthatIMUSTtalktosomebody;
　　andyou’retheonlyoneIknow。Pleaseexcusemyexuberance;
　　I’llsettleprettysoon。Ifmylettersboreyou，youcanalwaystossthemintothewastebasket。IpromisenottowriteanothertillthemiddleofNovember。
　　Yoursmostloquaciously，JudyAbbott15thNovemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，ListentowhatI’velearnedto-day。
　　Theareaoftheconvexsurfaceofthefrustumofaregularpyramidishalftheproductofthesumoftheperimetersofitsbasesbythealtitudeofeitherofitstrapezoids。
　　Itdoesn’tsoundtrue，butitis——Icanproveit！
　　You’veneverheardaboutmyclothes，haveyou，Daddy？Sixdresses，allnewandbeautifulandboughtforme——nothandeddownfromsomebodybigger。Perhapsyoudon’trealizewhataclimaxthatmarksinthecareerofanorphan？Yougavethemtome，andIamvery，very，VERYmuchobliged。It’safinethingtobeeducated——butnothingcomparedtothedizzyingexperienceofowningsixnewdresses。
　　MissPritchard，whoisonthevisitingcommittee，pickedthemout——
　　notMrs。Lippett，thankgoodness。Ihaveaneveningdress，pinkmulloversilk（I’mperfectlybeautifulinthat），andabluechurchdress，andadinnerdressofredveilingwithOrientaltrimming（makesmelooklikeaGipsy），andanotherofrose-colouredchallis，andagreystreetsuit，andanevery-daydressforclasses。
　　Thatwouldn’tbeanawfullybigwardrobeforJuliaRutledgePendleton，perhaps，butforJerushaAbbott——Oh，my！
　　Isupposeyou’rethinkingnowwhatafrivolous，shallowlittlebeastsheis，andwhatawasteofmoneytoeducateagirl？
　　But，Daddy，ifyou’dbeendressedincheckedginghamsallyourlife，you’dappreciatehowIfeel。AndwhenIstartedtothehighschool，Ientereduponanotherperiodevenworsethanthecheckedginghams。
　　Thepoorbox。
　　Youcan’tknowhowIdreadedappearinginschoolinthosemiserablepoor-boxdresses。Iwasperfectlysuretobeputdowninclassnexttothegirlwhofirstownedmydress，andshewouldwhisperandgiggleandpointitouttotheothers。Thebitternessofwearingyourenemies’cast-offclotheseatsintoyoursoul。
　　IfIworesilkstockingsfortherestofmylife，Idon’tbelieveIcouldobliteratethescar。
　　LATESTWARBULLETIN！
　　NewsfromtheSceneofAction。
　　AtthefourthwatchonThursdaythe13thofNovember，HannibalroutedtheadvanceguardoftheRomansandledtheCarthaginianforcesoverthemountainsintotheplainsofCasilinum。AcohortoflightarmedNumidiansengagedtheinfantryofQuintusFabiusMaximus。
　　Twobattlesandlightskirmishing。Romansrepulsedwithheavylosses。
　　Ihavethehonourofbeing，Yourspecialcorrespondentfromthefront，J。AbbottPS。IknowI’mnottoexpectanylettersinreturn，andI’vebeenwarnednottobotheryouwithquestions，buttellme，Daddy，justthisonce——areyouawfullyoldorjustalittleold？Andareyouperfectlybaldorjustalittlebald？Itisverydifficultthinkingaboutyouintheabstractlikeatheoremingeometry。
　　Givenatallrichmanwhohatesgirls，butisverygeneroustoonequiteimpertinentgirl，whatdoeshelooklike？
　　R。S。V。P。
　　19thDecemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Youneveransweredmyquestionanditwasveryimportant。
　　AREYOUBALD？
　　Ihaveitplannedexactlywhatyoulooklike——verysatisfactorily——
　　untilIreachthetopofyourhead，andthenIAMstuck。Ican’tdecidewhetheryouhavewhitehairorblackhairorsortofsprinklygreyhairormaybenoneatall。
　　Hereisyourportrait：
　　Buttheproblemis，shallIaddsomehair？
　　Wouldyouliketoknowwhatcolouryoureyesare？They’regrey，andyoureyebrowsstickoutlikeaporchroof（beetling，they’recalledinnovels），andyourmouthisastraightlinewithatendencytoturndownatthecorners。Oh，yousee，Iknow！You’reasnappyoldthingwithatemper。
　　（Chapelbell。）
　　9。45p。m。
　　Ihaveanewunbreakablerule：never，nevertostudyatnightnomatterhowmanywrittenreviewsarecominginthemorning。Instead，Ireadjustplainbooks——Ihaveto，youknow，becausethereareeighteenblankyearsbehindme。Youwouldn’tbelieve，Daddy，whatanabyssofignorancemymindis;Iamjustrealizingthedepthsmyself。
　　Thethingsthatmostgirlswithaproperlyassortedfamilyandahomeandfriendsandalibraryknowbyabsorption，Ihaveneverheardof。
　　Forexample：
　　IneverreadMotherGooseorDavidCopperfieldorIvanhoeorCinderellaorBlueBeardorRobinsonCrusoeorJaneEyreorAliceinWonderlandorawordofRudyardKipling。Ididn’tknowthatHenrytheEighthwasmarriedmorethanonceorthatShelleywasapoet。
　　Ididn’tknowthatpeopleusedtobemonkeysandthattheGardenofEdenwasabeautifulmyth。Ididn’tknowthatR。L。S。stoodforRobertLouisStevensonorthatGeorgeEliotwasalady。
　　Ihadneverseenapictureofthe`MonaLisa’and（it’struebutyouwon’tbelieveit）IhadneverheardofSherlockHolmes。
　　Now，Iknowallofthesethingsandalotofothersbesides，butyoucanseehowmuchIneedtocatchup。Andoh，butit’sfun！
　　Ilookforwardalldaytoevening，andthenIputan`engaged’onthedoorandgetintomyniceredbathrobeandfurryslippersandpileallthecushionsbehindmeonthecouch，andlightthebrassstudentlampatmyelbow，andreadandreadandreadonebookisn’tenough。
　　Ihavefourgoingatonce。Justnow，they’reTennyson’spoemsandVanityFairandKipling’sPlainTalesand——don’tlaugh——LittleWomen。
　　IfindthatIamtheonlygirlincollegewhowasn’tbroughtuponLittleWomen。Ihaven’ttoldanybodythough（thatWOULDstampmeasqueer）。Ijustquietlywentandboughtitwith$1。12ofmylastmonth’sallowance;andthenexttimesomebodymentionspickledlimes，I’llknowwhatsheistalkingabout！
　　（Teno’clockbell。Thisisaveryinterruptedletter。）
　　SaturdaySir，Ihavethehonourtoreportfreshexplorationsinthefieldofgeometry。
　　OnFridaylastweabandonedourformerworksinparallelopipedsandproceededtotruncatedprisms。Wearefindingtheroadroughandveryuphill。
　　SundayTheChristmasholidaysbeginnextweekandthetrunksareup。
　　Thecorridorsaresofilledupthatyoucanhardlygetthrough，andeverybodyissobubblingoverwithexcitementthatstudyingisgettingleftout。I’mgoingtohaveabeautifultimeinvacation;
　　there’sanotherFreshmanwholivesinTexasstayingbehind，andweareplanningtotakelongwalksandifthere’sanyice——
　　learntoskate。Thenthereisstillthewholelibrarytoberead——
　　andthreeemptyweekstodoitin！
　　Goodbye，Daddy，Ihopethatyouarefeelingashappyasam。
　　Yoursever，JudyPS。Don’tforgettoanswermyquestion。Ifyoudon’twantthetroubleofwriting，haveyoursecretarytelegraph。Hecanjustsay：
　　Mr。Smithisquitebald，orMr。Smithisnotbald，orMr。Smithhaswhitehair。
　　Andyoucandeductthetwenty-fivecentsoutofmyallowance。
　　GoodbyetillJanuary——andamerryChristmas！
　　TowardstheendoftheChristmasvacation。
　　ExactdateunknownDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Isitsnowingwhereyouare？AlltheworldthatIseefrommytowerisdrapedinwhiteandtheflakesarecomingdownasbigaspop-corns。
　　It’slateafternoon——thesunisjustsetting（acoldyellowcolour）
　　behindsomecolderviolethills，andIamupinmywindowseatusingthelastlighttowritetoyou。
　　Yourfivegoldpieceswereasurprise！I’mnotusedtoreceivingChristmaspresents。Youhavealreadygivenmesuchlotsofthings——
　　everythingIhave，youknow——thatIdon’tquitefeelthatI
　　deserveextras。ButIlikethemjustthesame。DoyouwanttoknowwhatIboughtwithmymoney？
　　I。Asilverwatchinaleathercasetowearonmywristandgetmetorecitationsintime。
　　II。MatthewArnold’spoems。
　　III。Ahotwaterbottle。
　　IV。Asteamerrug。（Mytoweriscold。）
　　V。Fivehundredsheetsofyellowmanuscriptpaper。（I’mgoingtocommencebeinganauthorprettysoon。）
　　VI。Adictionaryofsynonyms。（Toenlargetheauthor’svocabulary。）
　　VII。（Idon’tmuchliketoconfessthislastitem，butIwill。）
　　Apairofsilkstockings。
　　Andnow，Daddy，neversayIdon’ttellall！
　　Itwasaverylowmotive，ifyoumustknowit，thatpromptedthesilkstockings。JuliaPendletoncomesintomyroomtodogeometry，andshesitscross-leggedonthecouchandwearssilkstockingseverynight。Butjustwait——assoonasshegetsbackfromvacationIshallgoinandsitonhercouchinmysilkstockings。Yousee，Daddy，themiserablecreaturethatIambutatleastI’mhonest;
　　andyouknewalready，frommyasylumrecord，thatIwasn’tperfect，didn’tyou？
　　Torecapitulate（that’sthewaytheEnglishinstructorbeginseveryothersentence），Iamverymuchobligedformysevenpresents。
　　I’mpretendingtomyselfthattheycameinaboxfrommyfamilyinCalifornia。Thewatchisfromfather，therugfrommother，thehotwaterbottlefromgrandmotherwhoisalwaysworryingforfearIshallcatchcoldinthisclimate——andtheyellowpaperfrommylittlebrotherHarry。MysisterIsabelgavemethesilkstockings，andAuntSusantheMatthewArnoldpoems;UncleHarry（littleHarryisnamedafterhim）gavemethedictionary。Hewantedtosendchocolates，butIinsistedonsynonyms。
　　Youdon’tobject，doyou，toplayingthepartofacompositefamily？
　　Andnow，shallItellyouaboutmyvacation，orareyouonlyinterestedinmyeducationassuch？Ihopeyouappreciatethedelicateshadeofmeaningin`assuch’。Itisthelatestadditiontomyvocabulary。
　　ThegirlfromTexasisnamedLeonoraFenton。（AlmostasfunnyasJerusha，isn’tit？）Ilikeher，butnotsomuchasSallieMcBride;
　　IshallneverlikeanyonesomuchasSallie——exceptyou。Imustalwayslikeyouthebestofall，becauseyou’remywholefamilyrolledintoone。LeonoraandIandtwoSophomoreshavewalked’crosscountryeverypleasantdayandexploredthewholeneighbourhood，dressedinshortskirtsandknitjacketsandcaps，andcarryingshinystickstowhackthingswith。Oncewewalkedintotown——fourmiles——
　　andstoppedatarestaurantwherethecollegegirlsgofordinner。
　　Broiledlobster（35cents），andfordessert，buckwheatcakesandmaplesyrup（15cents）。Nourishingandcheap。
　　Itwassuchalark！Especiallyforme，becauseitwassoawfullydifferentfromtheasylum——IfeellikeanescapedconvicteverytimeIleavethecampus。BeforeIthought，IstartedtotelltheotherswhatanexperienceIwashaving。ThecatwasalmostoutofthebagwhenIgrabbeditbyitstailandpulleditback。
　　It’sawfullyhardformenottotelleverythingIknow。I’maveryconfidingsoulbynature;ifIdidn’thaveyoutotellthingsto，I’dburst。
　　WehadamolassescandypulllastFridayevening，givenbythehousematronofFergussentotheleft-behindsintheotherhalls。
　　Thereweretwenty-twoofusaltogether，FreshmenandSophomoresandjuniorsandSeniorsallunitedinamicableaccord。Thekitchenishuge，withcopperpotsandkettleshanginginrowsonthestonewall——
　　thelittlestcasseroleamongthemaboutthesizeofawashboiler。
　　FourhundredgirlsliveinFergussen。Thechef，inawhitecapandapron，fetchedouttwenty-twootherwhitecapsandaprons——
　　Ican’timaginewherehegotsomany——andweallturnedourselvesintocooks。
　　Itwasgreatfun，thoughIhaveseenbettercandy。Whenitwasfinallyfinished，andourselvesandthekitchenandthedoor-knobsallthoroughlysticky，weorganizedaprocessionandstillinourcapsandaprons，eachcarryingabigforkorspoonorfryingpan，wemarchedthroughtheemptycorridorstotheofficers’parlour，wherehalf-a-dozenprofessorsandinstructorswerepassingatranquilevening。Weserenadedthemwithcollegesongsandofferedrefreshments。Theyacceptedpolitelybutdubiously。
　　Weleftthemsuckingchunksofmolassescandy，stickyandspeechless。
　　Soyousee，Daddy，myeducationprogresses！
　　Don’tyoureallythinkthatIoughttobeanartistinsteadofanauthor？
　　VacationwillbeoverintwodaysandIshallbegladtoseethegirlsagain。Mytowerisjustatriflelonely;whenninepeopleoccupyahousethatwasbuiltforfourhundred，theydorattlearoundabit。
　　Elevenpages——poorDaddy，youmustbetired！Imeantthistobejustashortlittlethank-younote——butwhenIgetstartedIseemtohaveareadypen。
　　Goodbye，andthankyouforthinkingofme——Ishouldbeperfectlyhappyexceptforonelittlethreateningcloudonthehorizon。
　　ExaminationscomeinFebruary。
　　Yourswithlove，JudyPS。Maybeitisn’tpropertosendlove？Ifitisn’t，pleaseexcuse。
　　ButImustlovesomebodyandthere’sonlyyouandMrs。Lippetttochoosebetween，soyousee——you’llHAVEtoputupwithit，Daddydear，becauseIcan’tloveher。
　　OntheEveDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Youshouldseethewaythiscollegeisstudying！We’veforgottenweeverhadavacation。Fifty-sevenirregularverbshaveIintroducedtomybraininthepastfourdays——I’monlyhopingthey’llstaytillafterexaminations。
　　Someofthegirlsselltheirtext-bookswhenthey’rethroughwiththem，butIintendtokeepmine。ThenafterI’vegraduatedIshallhavemywholeeducationinarowinthebookcase，andwhenIneedtouseanydetail，Icanturntoitwithouttheslightesthesitation。
　　Somucheasierandmoreaccuratethantryingtokeepitinyourhead。
　　JuliaPendletondroppedinthiseveningtopayasocialcall，andstayedasolidhour。Shegotstartedonthesubjectoffamily，andICOULDN’Tswitchheroff。Shewantedtoknowwhatmymother’smaidennamewas——didyoueverhearsuchanimpertinentquestiontoaskofapersonfromafoundlingasylum？Ididn’thavethecouragetosayIdidn’tknow，soIjustmiserablyplumpedonthefirstnameIcouldthinkof，andthatwasMontgomery。
　　ThenshewantedtoknowwhetherIbelongedtotheMassachusettsMontgomerysortheVirginiaMontgomerys。
　　HermotherwasaRutherford。Thefamilycameoverintheark，andwereconnectedbymarriagewithHenrytheVIII。Onherfather’ssidetheydatebackfurtherthanAdam。Onthetopmostbranchesofherfamilytreethere’sasuperiorbreedofmonkeyswithveryfinesilkyhairandextralongtails。
　　Imeanttowriteyouanice，cheerful，entertaininglettertonight，butI’mtoosleepy——andscared。TheFreshman’slotisnotahappyone。
　　Yours，abouttobeexamined，JudyAbbottSundayDearestDaddy-Long-Legs，Ihavesomeawful，awful，awfulnewstotellyou，butIwon’tbeginwithit;I’lltrytogetyouinagoodhumourfirst。
　　JerushaAbbotthascommencedtobeanauthor。Apoementitled，`FrommyTower’，appearsintheFebruaryMonthly——onthefirstpage，whichisaverygreathonourforaFreshman。MyEnglishinstructorstoppedmeonthewayoutfromchapellastnight，andsaiditwasacharmingpieceofworkexceptforthesixthline，whichhadtoomanyfeet。Iwillsendyouacopyincaseyoucaretoreadit。
　　LetmeseeifIcan’tthinkofsomethingelsepleasant——
　　Oh，yes！I’mlearningtoskate，andcanglideaboutquiterespectablyallbymyself。AlsoI’velearnedhowtoslidedownaropefromtheroofofthegymnasium，andIcanvaultabarthreefeetandsixincheshigh——Ihopeshortlytopulluptofourfeet。
　　WehadaveryinspiringsermonthismorningpreachedbytheBishopofAlabama。Histextwas：`Judgenotthatyebenotjudged。’
　　Itwasaboutthenecessityofoverlookingmistakesinothers，andnotdiscouragingpeoplebyharshjudgments。Iwishyoumighthaveheardit。
　　Thisisthesunniest，mostblindingwinterafternoon，withiciclesdrippingfromthefirtreesandalltheworldbendingunderaweightofsnow——exceptme，andI’mbendingunderaweightofsorrow。
　　Nowforthenews——courage，Judy！——youmusttell。
　　AreyouSURELYinagoodhumour？IfailedinmathematicsandLatinprose。Iamtutoringinthem，andwilltakeanotherexaminationnextmonth。I’msorryifyou’redisappointed，butotherwiseIdon’tcareabitbecauseI’velearnedsuchalotofthingsnotmentionedinthecatalogue。I’vereadseventeennovelsandbushelsofpoetry——
　　reallynecessarynovelslikeVanityFairandRichardFeverelandAliceinWonderland。AlsoEmerson’sEssaysandLockhart’sLifeofScottandthefirstvolumeofGibbon’sRomanEmpireandhalfofBenvenutoCellini’sLife——wasn’theentertaining？
　　Heusedtosaunteroutandcasuallykillamanbeforebreakfast。
　　Soyousee，Daddy，I’mmuchmoreintelligentthanifI’djuststucktoLatin。WillyouforgivemethisonceifIpromisenevertofailagain？
　　Yoursinsackcloth，JudyDearDaddy-Long-Legs，ThisisanextraletterinthemiddleofthemonthbecauseI’mratherlonelytonight。It’sawfullystormy。Allthelightsareoutonthecampus，butIdrankblackcoffeeandIcan’tgotosleep。
　　IhadasupperpartythiseveningconsistingofSallieandJuliaandLeonoraFenton——andsardinesandtoastedmuffinsandsaladandfudgeandcoffee。Juliasaidshe’dhadagoodtime，butSalliestayedtohelpwashthedishes。
　　Imight，veryusefully，putsometimeonLatintonightbut，there’snodoubtaboutit，I’maverylanguidLatinscholar。
　　We’vefinishedLivyandDeSenectuteandarenowengagedwithDeAmicitia（pronouncedDamnIcitia）。
　　Shouldyoumind，justforalittlewhile，pretendingyouaremygrandmother？SalliehasoneandJuliaandLeonoraeachtwo，andtheywereallcomparingthemtonight。Ican’tthinkofanythingI’dratherhave;it’ssucharespectablerelationship。
　　So，ifyoureallydon’tobject——WhenIwentintotownyesterday，IsawthesweetestcapofClunylacetrimmedwithlavenderribbon。
　　Iamgoingtomakeyouapresentofitonyoureighty-thirdbirthday。！！！！！！！！！！！！
　　That’stheclockinthechapeltowerstrikingtwelve。IbelieveIamsleepyafterall。
　　Goodnight，Granny。
　　Iloveyoudearly。
　　JudyTheIdesofMarchDearD-L-L。，IamstudyingLatinprosecomposition。Ihavebeenstudyingit。
　　Ishallbestudyingit。Ishallbeabouttohavebeenstudyingit。
　　Myre-examinationcomesthe7thhournextTuesday，andIamgoingtopassorBUST。Soyoumayexpecttohearfrommenext，wholeandhappyandfreefromconditions，orinfragments。
　　Iwillwritearespectableletterwhenit’sover。TonightIhaveapressingengagementwiththeAblativeAbsolute。
　　Yours——inevidenthasteJ。A。
　　26thMarchMr。D-L-L。Smith，SIR：Youneveransweranyquestions;younevershowtheslightestinterestinanythingIdo。YouareprobablythehorridestoneofallthosehorridTrustees，andthereasonyouareeducatingmeis，notbecauseyoucareabitaboutme，butfromasenseofDuty。
　　Idon’tknowasinglethingaboutyou。Idon’tevenknowyourname。
　　ItisveryuninspiringwritingtoaThing。Ihaven’tadoubtbutthatyouthrowmylettersintothewaste-basketwithoutreadingthem。
　　HereafterIshallwriteonlyaboutwork。
　　Myre-examinationsinLatinandgeometrycamelastweek。Ipassedthembothandamnowfreefromconditions。
　　Yourstruly，JerushaAbbott2ndAprilDearDaddy-Long-Legs，IamaBEAST。
　　PleaseforgetaboutthatdreadfulletterIsentyoulastweek——
　　Iwasfeelingterriblylonelyandmiserableandsore-throatythenightIwrote。Ididn’tknowit，butIwasjustsickeningfortonsillitisandgrippeandlotsofthingsmixed。I’mintheinfirmarynow，andhavebeenhereforsixdays;thisisthefirsttimetheywouldletmesitupandhaveapenandpaper。Theheadnurseisverybossy。
　　ButI’vebeenthinkingaboutitallthetimeandIshan’tgetwelluntilyouforgiveme。
　　HereisapictureofthewayIlook，withabandagetiedaroundmyheadinrabbit’sears。
　　Doesn’tthatarouseyoursympathy？Iamhavingsublingualglandswelling。AndI’vebeenstudyingphysiologyalltheyearwithouteverhearingofsublingualglands。Howfutileathingiseducation！
　　Ican’twriteanymore;IgetrathershakywhenIsituptoolong。
　　Pleaseforgivemeforbeingimpertinentandungrateful。Iwasbadlybroughtup。
　　Yourswithlove，JudyAbbottTHEINFIRMARY
　　4thAprilDearestDaddy-Long-Legs，Yesterdayeveningjusttowardsdark，whenIwassittingupinbedlookingoutattherainandfeelingawfullyboredwithlifeinagreatinstitution，thenurseappearedwithalongwhiteboxaddressedtome，andfilledwiththeLOVELIESTpinkrosebuds。
　　Andmuchnicerstill，itcontainedacardwithaverypolitemessagewritteninafunnylittleuphillbackhand（butonewhichshowsagreatdealofcharacter）。Thankyou，Daddy，athousandtimes。
　　Yourflowersmakethefirstreal，truepresentIeverreceivedinmylife。IfyouwanttoknowwhatababyIamIlaydownandcriedbecauseIwassohappy。
　　NowthatIamsureyoureadmyletters，I’llmakethemmuchmoreinteresting，sothey’llbeworthkeepinginasafewithredtapearoundthem——onlypleasetakeoutthatdreadfuloneandburnitup。
　　I’dhatetothinkthatyoueverreaditover。
　　Thankyouformakingaverysick，cross，miserableFreshmancheerful。
　　Probablyyouhavelotsoflovingfamilyandfriends，andyoudon’tknowwhatitfeelsliketobealone。ButIdo。
　　Goodbye——I’llpromisenevertobehorridagain，becausenowI
　　knowyou’rearealperson;alsoI’llpromisenevertobotheryouwithanymorequestions。
　　Doyoustillhategirls？
　　Yoursforever，Judy8thhour，MondayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Ihopeyouaren’ttheTrusteewhosatonthetoad？Itwentoff——
　　Iwastold——withquiteapop，soprobablyhewasafatterTrustee。
　　DoyourememberthelittledugoutplaceswithgratingsoverthembythelaundrywindowsintheJohnGrierHome？Everyspringwhenthehoptoadseasonopenedweusedtoformacollectionoftoadsandkeeptheminthosewindowholes;andoccasionallytheywouldspilloverintothelaundry，causingaverypleasurablecommotiononwashdays。
　　Wewereseverelypunishedforouractivitiesinthisdirection，butinspiteofalldiscouragementthetoadswouldcollect。
　　Andoneday——well，Iwon’tboreyouwithparticulars——butsomehow，oneofthefattest，biggest，JUCIESTtoadsgotintooneofthosebigleatherarmchairsintheTrustees’room，andthatafternoonattheTrustees’meeting——ButIdaresayyouwerethereandrecalltherest？
　　Lookingbackdispassionatelyafteraperiodoftime，Iwillsaythatpunishmentwasmerited，and——ifIrememberrightly——adequate。