IamtogivelessonsinEnglishandLatintotheyoungerdaughter，too，butIshallhavealittletimetomyself，andIshallbeearningfiftydollarsamonth！Doesn’tthatimpressyouasaperfectlyexorbitantamount？Sheofferedit;Ishouldhaveblushedtoaskformorethantwenty-five。
　　IfinishatMagnolia（that’swhereshelives）thefirstofSeptember，andshallprobablyspendtheremainingthreeweeksatLockWillow——
　　IshouldliketoseetheSemplesagainandallthefriendlyanimals。
　　Howdoesmyprogrammestrikeyou，Daddy？
　　Iamgettingquiteindependent，yousee。
　　YouhaveputmeonmyfeetandIthinkIcanalmostwalkalonebynow。
　　Princetoncommencementandourexaminationsexactlycoincide——
　　whichisanawfulblow。SallieandIdidsowanttogetawayintimeforit，butofcoursethatisutterlyimpossible。
　　Goodbye，Daddy。Haveanicesummerandcomebackintheautumnrestedandreadyforanotheryearofwork。（That’swhatyououghttobewritingtome！）Ihaven’tanyideawhatyoudointhesummer，orhowyouamuseyourself。Ican’tvisualizeyoursurroundings。
　　Doyouplaygolforhuntorridehorsebackorjustsitinthesunandmeditate？
　　Anyway，whateveritis，haveagoodtimeanddon’tforgetJudy。
　　10thJuneDearDaddy，ThisisthehardestletterIeverwrote，butIhavedecidedwhatImustdo，andthereisn’tgoingtobeanyturningback。
　　ItisverysweetandgenerousanddearofyoutowishtosendmetoEuropethissummer——forthemomentIwasintoxicatedbytheidea;
　　butsobersecondthoughtssaidno。Itwouldberatherillogicalofmetorefusetotakeyourmoneyforcollege，andthenuseitinsteadjustforamusement！Youmustn’tgetmeusedtotoomanyluxuries。
　　Onedoesn’tmisswhatonehasneverhad;butit’sawfullyhardgoingwithoutthingsafteronehascommencedthinkingtheyarehis——
　　hers（Englishlanguageneedsanotherpronoun）bynaturalright。
　　LivingwithSallieandJuliaisanawfulstrainonmystoicalphilosophy。
　　Theyhavebothhadthingsfromthetimetheywerebabies;
　　theyaccepthappinessasamatterofcourse。TheWorld，theythink，owesthemeverythingtheywant。MaybetheWorlddoes——inanycase，itseemstoacknowledgethedebtandpayup。Butasforme，itowesmenothing，anddistinctlytoldmesointhebeginning。
　　Ihavenorighttoborrowoncredit，fortherewillcomeatimewhentheWorldwillrepudiatemyclaim。
　　Iseemtobeflounderinginaseaofmetaphor——butIhopeyougraspmymeaning？Anyway，Ihaveaverystrongfeelingthattheonlyhonestthingformetodoistoteachthissummerandbegintosupportmyself。
　　MAGNOLIA，FourdayslaterI’dgotjustthatmuchwritten，when——whatdoyouthinkhappened？
　　ThemaidarrivedwithMasterJervie’scard。Heisgoingabroadtoothissummer;notwithJuliaandherfamily，butentirelybyhimselfItoldhimthatyouhadinvitedmetogowithaladywhoischaperoningapartyofgirls。Heknowsaboutyou，Daddy。Thatis，heknowsthatmyfatherandmotheraredead，andthatakindgentlemanissendingmetocollege;Isimplydidn’thavethecouragetotellhimabouttheJohnGrierHomeandalltherest。Hethinksthatyouaremyguardianandaperfectlylegitimateoldfamilyfriend。
　　IhavenevertoldhimthatIdidn’tknowyou——thatwouldseemtooqueer！
　　Anyway，heinsistedonmygoingtoEurope。HesaidthatitwasanecessarypartofmyeducationandthatImustn’tthinkofrefusing。Also，thathewouldbeinParisatthesametime，andthatwewouldrunawayfromthechaperonoccasionallyandhavedinnertogetheratnice，funny，foreignrestaurants。
　　Well，Daddy，itdidappealtome！Ialmostweakened;ifhehadn’tbeensodictatorial，maybeIshouldhaveentirelyweakened。
　　Icanbeenticedstepbystep，butIWON’Tbeforced。HesaidI
　　wasasilly，foolish，irrational，quixotic，idiotic，stubbornchild（thoseareafewofhisabusiveadjectives;therestescapeme），andthatIdidn’tknowwhatwasgoodforme;Ioughttoletolderpeoplejudge。Wealmostquarrelled——Iamnotsurebutthatweentirelydid！
　　Inanycase，Ipackedmytrunkfastandcameuphere。IthoughtI’dbetterseemybridgesinflamesbehindmebeforeIfinishedwritingtoyou。Theyareentirelyreducedtoashesnow。
　　HereIamatCliffTop（thenameofMrs。Paterson’scottage）withmytrunkunpackedandFlorence（thelittleone）alreadystrugglingwithfirstdeclensionnouns。Anditbidsfairtobeastruggle！
　　Sheisamostuncommonlyspoiledchild;Ishallhavetoteachherfirsthowtostudy——shehasneverinherlifeconcentratedonanythingmoredifficultthanice-creamsodawater。
　　Weuseaquietcornerofthecliffsforaschoolroom——Mrs。Patersonwishesmetokeepthemoutofdoors——andIwillsaythatIfinditdifficulttoconcentratewiththeblueseabeforemeandshipsa-sailingby！
　　AndwhenIthinkImightbeonone，sailingofftoforeignlands——
　　butIWON’TletmyselfthinkofanythingbutLatinGrammar。
　　Theprepositionsaorab，absque，coram，cum，deeorex，prae，pro，sine，tenus，in，subter，subandsupergoverntheablative。
　　Soyousee，Daddy，Iamalreadyplungedintoworkwithmyeyespersistentlysetagainsttemptation。Don’tbecrosswithme，please，anddon’tthinkthatIdonotappreciateyourkindness，forIdo——always——always。TheonlywayIcaneverrepayyouisbyturningoutaVeryUsefulCitizen（Arewomencitizens？
　　Idon’tsupposetheyare。）Anyway，aVeryUsefulPerson。Andwhenyoulookatmeyoucansay，`IgavethatVeryUsefulPersontotheworld。’
　　Thatsoundswell，doesn’tit，Daddy？ButIdon’twishtomisleadyou。
　　ThefeelingoftencomesovermethatIamnotatallremarkable;
　　itisfuntoplanacareer，butinallprobabilityIshan’tturnoutabitdifferentfromanyotherordinaryperson。Imayendbymarryinganundertakerandbeinganinspirationtohiminhiswork。
　　Yoursever，Judy19thAugustDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Mywindowlooksoutontheloveliestlandscape——ocean-scape，rather——
　　nothingbutwaterandrocks。
　　Thesummergoes。IspendthemorningwithLatinandEnglishandalgebraandmytwostupidgirls。Idon’tknowhowMarionisevergoingtogetintocollege，orstayinaftershegetsthere。
　　AndasforFlorence，sheishopeless——butoh！suchalittlebeauty。
　　Idon’tsupposeitmattersintheleastwhethertheyarestupidornotsolongastheyarepretty？Onecan’thelpthinking，though，howtheirconversationwillboretheirhusbands，unlesstheyarefortunateenoughtoobtainstupidhusbands。Isupposethat’squitepossible;theworldseemstobefilledwithstupidmen;
　　I’vemetanumberthissummer。
　　Intheafternoonwetakeawalkonthecliffs，orswim，ifthetideisright。Icanswiminsaltwaterwiththeutmosteaseyouseemyeducationisalreadybeingputtouse！
　　AlettercomesfromMr。JervisPendletoninParis，ratherashortconciseletter;I’mnotquiteforgivenyetforrefusingtofollowhisadvice。However，ifhegetsbackintime，hewillseemeforafewdaysatLockWillowbeforecollegeopens，andifI
　　amveryniceandsweetanddocile，Ishall（Iamledtoinfer）
　　bereceivedintofavouragain。
　　AlsoaletterfromSallie。ShewantsmetocometotheircampfortwoweeksinSeptember。MustIaskyourpermission，orhaven’tIyetarrivedattheplacewhereIcandoasIplease？Yes，IamsureIhave——I’maSenior，youknow。Havingworkedallsummer，Ifeelliketakingalittlehealthfulrecreation;IwanttoseetheAdirondacks;IwanttoseeSallie;IwanttoseeSallie’sbrother——
　　he’sgoingtoteachmetocanoe——and（wecometomychiefmotive，whichismean）IwantMasterJervietoarriveatLockWillowandfindmenotthere。
　　IMUSTshowhimthathecan’tdictatetome。Noonecandictatetomebutyou，Daddy——andyoucan’talways！I’moffforthewoods。
　　JudyCAMPMCBRIDE，6thSeptemberDearDaddy，Yourletterdidn’tcomeintime（Iampleasedtosay）。Ifyouwishyourinstructionstobeobeyed，youmusthaveyoursecretarytransmittheminlessthantwoweeks。Asyouobserve，Iamhere，andhavebeenforfivedays。
　　Thewoodsarefine，andsoisthecamp，andsoistheweather，andsoaretheMcBrides，andsoisthewholeworld。I’mveryhappy！
　　There’sJimmiecallingformetocomecanoeing。Goodbye——sorrytohavedisobeyed，butwhyareyousopersistentaboutnotwantingmetoplayalittle？WhenI’veworkedallthesummerIdeservetwoweeks。Youareawfullydog-in-the-mangerish。
　　However——Iloveyoustill，Daddy，inspiteofallyourfaults。
　　Judy3rdOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，BackatcollegeandaSenior——alsoeditoroftheMonthly。
　　Itdoesn’tseempossible，doesit，thatsosophisticatedaperson，justfouryearsago，wasaninmateoftheJohnGrierHome？
　　WedoarrivefastinAmerica！
　　Whatdoyouthinkofthis？AnotefromMasterJerviedirectedtoLockWillowandforwardedhere。He’ssorry，buthefindsthathecan’tgetuptherethisautumn;hehasacceptedaninvitationtogoyachtingwithsomefriends。HopesI’vehadanicesummerandamenjoyingthecountry。
　　AndheknewallthetimethatIwaswiththeMcBrides，forJuliatoldhimso！Youmenoughttoleaveintriguetowomen;youhaven’talightenoughtouch。
　　Juliahasatrunkfulofthemostravishingnewclothes——aneveninggownofrainbowLibertycrepethatwouldbefittingraimentfortheangelsinParadise。AndIthoughtthatmyownclothesthisyearwereunprecedentedly（istheresuchaword？）beautiful。IcopiedMrs。Paterson’swardrobewiththeaidofacheapdressmaker，andthoughthegownsdidn’tturnoutquitetwinsoftheoriginals，IwasentirelyhappyuntilJuliaunpacked。Butnow——IlivetoseeParis！
　　DearDaddy，aren’tyougladyou’renotagirl？Isupposeyouthinkthatthefusswemakeoverclothesistooabsolutelysilly？Itis。
　　Nodoubtaboutit。Butit’sentirelyyourfault。
　　DidyoueverhearaboutthelearnedHerrProfessorwhoregardedunnecessaryadornmentwithcontemptandfavouredsensible，utilitarianclothesforwomen？Hiswife，whowasanobligingcreature，adopted`dressreform。’Andwhatdoyouthinkhedid？
　　Heelopedwithachorusgirl。
　　Yoursever，JudyPS。Thechamber-maidinourcorridorwearsbluecheckedginghamaprons。
　　Iamgoingtogethersomebrownonesinstead，andsinktheblueonesinthebottomofthelake。IhaveareminiscentchilleverytimeIlookatthem。
　　17thNovemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Suchablighthasfallenovermyliterarycareer。Idon’tknowwhethertotellyouornot，butIwouldlikesomesympathy——
　　silentsympathy，please;don’tre-openthewoundbyreferringtoitinyournextletter。
　　I’vebeenwritingabook，alllastwinterintheevenings，andallthesummerwhenIwasn’tteachingLatintomytwostupidchildren。
　　Ijustfinisheditbeforecollegeopenedandsentittoapublisher。
　　Hekeptittwomonths，andIwascertainhewasgoingtotakeit;
　　butyesterdaymorninganexpressparcelcame（thirtycentsdue）
　　andthereitwasbackagainwithaletterfromthepublisher，averynice，fatherlyletter——butfrank！HesaidhesawfromtheaddressthatI
　　wasstillatcollege，andifIwouldacceptsomeadvice，hewouldsuggestthatIputallofmyenergyintomylessonsandwaituntilI
　　graduatedbeforebeginningtowrite。Heenclosedhisreader’sopinion。
　　Hereitis：
　　`Plothighlyimprobable。Characterizationexaggerated。
　　Conversationunnatural。Agooddealofhumourbutnotalwaysinthebestoftaste。Tellhertokeepontrying，andintimeshemayproducearealbook。’
　　Notonthewholeflattering，isit，Daddy？AndIthoughtIwasmakinganotableadditiontoAmericanliterature。Ididtruly。
　　IwasplanningtosurpriseyoubywritingagreatnovelbeforeIgraduated。IcollectedthematerialforitwhileIwasatJulia’slastChristmas。ButIdaresaytheeditorisright。
　　Probablytwoweekswasnotenoughinwhichtoobservethemannersandcustomsofagreatcity。
　　Itookitwalkingwithmeyesterdayafternoon，andwhenIcametothegashouse，IwentinandaskedtheengineerifImightborrowhisfurnace。Hepolitelyopenedthedoor，andwithmyownhandsIchuckeditin。IfeltasthoughIhadcrematedmyonlychild！
　　Iwenttobedlastnightutterlydejected;IthoughtIwasnevergoingtoamounttoanything，andthatyouhadthrownawayyourmoneyfornothing。Butwhatdoyouthink？Iwokeupthismorningwithabeautifulnewplotinmyhead，andI’vebeengoingaboutalldayplanningmycharacters，justashappyasIcouldbe。
　　Noonecaneveraccusemeofbeingapessimist！IfIhadahusbandandtwelvechildrenswallowedbyanearthquakeoneday，I’dbobupsmilinglythenextmorningandcommencetolookforanotherset。
　　Affectionately，Judy14thDecemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Idreamedthefunniestdreamlastnight。IthoughtIwentintoabookstoreandtheclerkbroughtmeanewbooknamedTheLifeandLettersofJudyAbbott。Icouldseeitperfectlyplainly——
　　redclothbindingwithapictureoftheJohnGrierHomeonthecover，andmyportraitforafrontispiecewith，`Verytrulyyours，JudyAbbott，’
　　writtenbelow。ButjustasIwasturningtotheendtoreadtheinscriptiononmytombstone，Iwokeup。Itwasveryannoying！
　　IalmostfoundoutwhomI’mgoingtomarryandwhenI’mgoingtodie。
　　Don’tyouthinkitwouldbeinterestingifyoureallycouldreadthestoryofyourlife——writtenperfectlytruthfullybyanomniscientauthor？
　　Andsupposeyoucouldonlyreaditonthiscondition：thatyouwouldneverforgetit，butwouldhavetogothroughlifeknowingaheadoftimeexactlyhoweverythingyoudidwouldturnout，andforeseeingtotheexacthourthetimewhenyouwoulddie。
　　Howmanypeopledoyousupposewouldhavethecouragetoreaditthen？orhowmanycouldsuppresstheircuriositysufficientlytoescapefromreadingit，evenatthepriceofhavingtolivewithouthopeandwithoutsurprises？
　　Lifeismonotonousenoughatbest;youhavetoeatandsleepaboutsooften。ButimaginehowDEADLYmonotonousitwouldbeifnothingunexpectedcouldhappenbetweenmeals。Mercy！Daddy，there’sablot，butI’monthethirdpageandIcan’tbeginanewsheet。
　　I’mgoingonwithbiologyagainthisyear——veryinterestingsubject;
　　we’restudyingthealimentarysystematpresent。Youshouldseehowsweetacross-sectionoftheduodenumofacatisunderthemicroscope。
　　Alsowe’vearrivedatphilosophy——interestingbutevanescent。Ipreferbiologywhereyoucanpinthesubjectunderdiscussiontoaboard。
　　There’sanother！Andanother！Thispenisweepingcopiously。
　　Pleaseexcuseitstears。
　　Doyoubelieveinfreewill？Ido——unreservedly。Idon’tagreeatallwiththephilosopherswhothinkthateveryactionistheabsolutelyinevitableandautomaticresultantofanaggregationofremotecauses。That’sthemostimmoraldoctrineIeverheard——
　　nobodywouldbetoblameforanything。Ifamanbelievedinfatalism，hewouldnaturallyjustsitdownandsay，`TheLord’swillbedone，’
　　andcontinuetosituntilhefelloverdead。
　　Ibelieveabsolutelyinmyownfreewillandmyownpowertoaccomplish——
　　andthatisthebeliefthatmovesmountains。Youwatchmebecomeagreatauthor！Ihavefourchaptersofmynewbookfinishedandfivemoredrafted。
　　Thisisaveryabstruseletter——doesyourheadache，Daddy？
　　Ithinkwe’llstopnowandmakesomefudge。I’msorryIcan’tsendyouapiece;itwillbeunusuallygood，forwe’regoingtomakeitwithrealcreamandthreebutterballs。
　　Yoursaffectionately，JudyPS。We’rehavingfancydancingingymnasiumclass。Youcanseebytheaccompanyingpicturehowmuchwelooklikearealballet。
　　Theoneattheendaccomplishingagracefulpirouetteisme——ImeanI。
　　26thDecemberMyDear，Dear，Daddy，Haven’tyouanysense？Don’tyouKNOWthatyoumustn’tgiveonegirlseventeenChristmaspresents？I’maSocialist，pleaseremember;
　　doyouwishtoturnmeintoaPlutocrat？
　　Thinkhowembarrassingitwouldbeifweshouldeverquarrel！
　　Ishouldhavetoengageamoving-vantoreturnyourgifts。
　　IamsorrythatthenecktieIsentwassowobbly;Iknititwithmyownhands（asyoudoubtlessdiscoveredfrominternalevidence）。
　　Youwillhavetowearitoncolddaysandkeepyourcoatbuttoneduptight。
　　Thankyou，Daddy，athousandtimes。Ithinkyou’rethesweetestmanthateverlived——andthefoolishest！
　　JudyHere’safour-leafcloverfromCampMcBridetobringyougoodluckfortheNewYear。
　　9thJanuaryDoyouwishtodosomething，Daddy，thatwillensureyoureternalsalvation？Thereisafamilyherewhoareinawfullydesperatestraits。Amotherandfatherandfourvisiblechildren——
　　thetwoolderboyshavedisappearedintotheworldtomaketheirfortuneandhavenotsentanyofitback。Thefatherworkedinaglassfactoryandgotconsumption——it’sawfullyunhealthywork——
　　andnowhasbeensentawaytoahospital。Thattookalltheirsavings，andthesupportofthefamilyfallsupontheoldestdaughter，whoistwenty-four。Shedressmakesfor$1。50aday（whenshecangetit）andembroiderscentrepiecesintheevening。Themotherisn’tverystrongandisextremelyineffectualandpious。
　　Shesitswithherhandsfolded，apictureofpatientresignation，whilethedaughterkillsherselfwithoverworkandresponsibilityandworry;shedoesn’tseehowtheyaregoingtogetthroughtherestofthewinter——andIdon’teither。Onehundreddollarswouldbuysomecoalandsomeshoesforthreechildrensothattheycouldgotoschool，andgivealittlemarginsothatsheneedn’tworryherselftodeathwhenafewdayspassandshedoesn’tgetwork。
　　YouaretherichestmanIknow。Don’tyousupposeyoucouldspareonehundreddollars？ThatgirldeserveshelpalotmorethanI
　　everdid。Iwouldn’taskitexceptforthegirl;Idon’tcaremuchwhathappenstothemother——sheissuchajelly-fish。
　　Thewaypeopleareforeverrollingtheireyestoheavenandsaying，`Perhapsit’sallforthebest，’whentheyareperfectlydeadsureit’snot，makesmeenraged。Humilityorresignationorwhateveryouchoosetocallit，issimplyimpotentinertia。I’mforamoremilitantreligion！
　　Wearegettingthemostdreadfullessonsinphilosophy——allofSchopenhauerfortomorrow。Theprofessordoesn’tseemtorealizethatwearetakinganyothersubject。He’saqueeroldduck;
　　hegoesaboutwithhisheadinthecloudsandblinksdazedlywhenoccasionallyhestrikessolidearth。Hetriestolightenhislectureswithanoccasionalwitticism——andwedoourbesttosmile，butIassureyouhisjokesarenolaughingmatter。
　　Hespendshisentiretimebetweenclassesintryingtofigureoutwhethermatterreallyexistsorwhetherheonlythinksitexists。
　　I’msuremysewinggirlhasn’tanydoubtbutthatitexists！
　　Wheredoyouthinkmynewnovelis？Inthewaste-basket。Icanseemyselfthatit’snogoodonearth，andwhenalovingauthorrealizesthat，whatWOULDbethejudgmentofacriticalpublic？
　　LaterIaddressyou，Daddy，fromabedofpain。FortwodaysI’vebeenlaidupwithswollentonsils;Icanjustswallowhotmilk，andthatisall。`Whatwereyourparentsthinkingofnottohavethosetonsilsoutwhenyouwereababy？’thedoctorwishedtoknow。
　　I’msureIhaven’tanidea，butIdoubtiftheywerethinkingmuchaboutme。
　　Yours，J。A。
　　NextmorningIjustreadthisoverbeforesealingit。Idon’tknowWHYIcastsuchamistyatmosphereoverlife。IhastentoassureyouthatI
　　amyoungandhappyandexuberant;andItrustyouarethesame。
　　Youthhasnothingtodowithbirthdays，onlywithALIVEDNESSofspirit，soevenifyourhairisgrey，Daddy，youcanstillbeaboy。
　　Affectionately，Judy12thJan。
　　DearMr。Philanthropist，Yourchequeformyfamilycameyesterday。Thankyousomuch！
　　Icutgymnasiumandtookitdowntothemrightafterluncheon，andyoushouldhaveseenthegirl’sface！Shewassosurprisedandhappyandrelievedthatshelookedalmostyoung;andshe’sonlytwenty-four。Isn’titpitiful？
　　Anyway，shefeelsnowasthoughallthegoodthingswerecomingtogether。
　　Shehassteadyworkaheadfortwomonths——someone’sgettingmarried，andthere’satrousseautomake。
　　`ThankthegoodLord！’criedthemother，whenshegraspedthefactthatthatsmallpieceofpaperwasonehundreddollars。
　　`Itwasn’tthegoodLordatall，’saidI，`itwasDaddy-Long-Legs。’
　　（Mr。Smith，Icalledyou。）
　　`ButitwasthegoodLordwhoputitinhismind，’saidshe。
　　`Notatall！Iputitinhismindmyself，’saidI。
　　Butanyway，Daddy，ItrustthegoodLordwillrewardyousuitably。
　　Youdeservetenthousandyearsoutofpurgatory。
　　Yoursmostgratefully，JudyAbbott15thFeb。
　　MayitpleaseYourMostExcellentMajesty：
　　ThismorningIdideatmybreakfastuponacoldturkeypieandagoose，andIdidsendforacupoftee（achinadrink）
　　ofwhichIhadneverdrankbefore。
　　Don’tbenervous，Daddy——Ihaven’tlostmymind;I’mmerelyquotingSam’lPepys。We’rereadinghiminconnectionwithEnglishHistory，originalsources。SallieandJuliaandIconversenowinthelanguageof1660。Listentothis：
　　`IwenttoCharingCrosstoseeMajorHarrisonhanged，drawnandquartered：helookingascheerfulasanymancoulddointhatcondition。’Andthis：`Dinedwithmyladywhoisinhandsomemourningforherbrotherwhodiedyesterdayofspottedfever。’
　　Seemsalittleearlytocommenceentertaining，doesn’tit？AfriendofPepysdevisedaverycunningmannerwherebythekingmightpayhisdebtsoutofthesaletopoorpeopleofolddecayedprovisions。
　　Whatdoyou，areformer，thinkofthat？Idon’tbelievewe’resobadtodayasthenewspapersmakeout。
　　Samuelwasasexcitedabouthisclothesasanygirl;hespentfivetimesasmuchondressashiswife——thatappearstohavebeentheGoldenAgeofhusbands。Isn’tthisatouchingentry？
　　Youseehereallywashonest。`TodaycamehomemyfineCamlettcloakwithgoldbuttons，whichcostmemuchmoney，andIprayGodtomakemeabletopayforit。’
　　ExcusemeforbeingsofullofPepys;I’mwritingaspecialtopiconhim。
　　Whatdoyouthink，Daddy？TheSelf-GovernmentAssociationhasabolishedtheteno’clockrule。Wecankeepourlightsallnightifwechoose，theonlyrequirementbeingthatwedonotdisturbothers——
　　wearenotsupposedtoentertainonalargescale。Theresultisabeautifulcommentaryonhumannature。Nowthatwemaystayupaslongaswechoose，wenolongerchoose。Ourheadsbegintonodatnineo’clock，andbynine-thirtythependropsfromournervelessgrasp。
　　It’snine-thirtynow。Goodnight。
　　SundayJustbackfromchurch——preacherfromGeorgia。Wemusttakecare，hesays，nottodevelopourintellectsattheexpenseofouremotionalnatures——
　　butmethoughtitwasapoor，drysermon（Pepysagain）。Itdoesn’tmatterwhatpartoftheUnitedStatesorCanadatheycomefrom，orwhatdenominationtheyare，wealwaysgetthesamesermon。
　　Whyonearthdon’ttheygotomen’scollegesandurgethestudentsnottoallowtheirmanlynaturestobecrushedoutbytoomuchmentalapplication？
　　It’sabeautifulday——frozenandicyandclear。Assoonasdinnerisover，SallieandJuliaandMartyKeeneandEleanorPratt（friendsofmine，butyoudon’tknowthem）andIaregoingtoputonshortskirtsandwalk’crosscountrytoCrystalSpringFarmandhaveafriedchickenandwafflesupper，andthenhaveMr。CrystalSpringdriveushomeinhisbuckboard。Wearesupposedtobeinsidethecampusatseven，butwearegoingtostretchapointtonightandmakeiteight。
　　Farewell，kindSir。
　　Ihavethehonourofsubscribingmyself，Yourmostloyall，dutifull，faithfullandobedientservant，J。AbbottMarchFifthDearMr。Trustee，TomorrowisthefirstWednesdayinthemonth——awearydayfortheJohnGrierHome。Howrelievedthey’llbewhenfiveo’clockcomesandyoupatthemontheheadandtakeyourselvesoff！Didyou（individually）everpatmeonthehead，Daddy？Idon’tbelieveso——
　　mymemoryseemstobeconcernedonlywithfatTrustees。
　　GivetheHomemylove，please——myTRULYlove。IhavequiteafeelingoftendernessforitasIlookbackthroughahazeoffouryears。
　　WhenIfirstcametocollegeIfeltquiteresentfulbecauseI’dbeenrobbedofthenormalkindofchildhoodthattheothergirlshadhad;butnow，Idon’tfeelthatwayintheleast。Iregarditasaveryunusualadventure。Itgivesmeasortofvantagepointfromwhichtostandasideandlookatlife。Emergingfullgrown，Igetaperspectiveontheworld，thatotherpeoplewhohavebeenbroughtupinthethickofthingsentirelylack。
　　Iknowlotsofgirls（Julia，forinstance）whoneverknowthattheyarehappy。Theyaresoaccustomedtothefeelingthattheirsensesaredeadenedtoit;butasforme——IamperfectlysureeverymomentofmylifethatIamhappy。AndI’mgoingtokeeponbeing，nomatterwhatunpleasantthingsturnup。I’mgoingtoregardthem（eventoothaches）asinterestingexperiences，andbegladtoknowwhattheyfeellike。`Whateversky’saboveme，I’veaheartforanyfate。’
　　However，Daddy，don’ttakethisnewaffectionfortheJ。G。H。
　　tooliterally。IfIhavefivechildren，likeRousseau，Ishan’tleavethemonthestepsofafoundlingasyluminordertoinsuretheirbeingbroughtupsimply。
　　GivemykindestregardstoMrs。Lippett（that，Ithink，istruthful;
　　lovewouldbealittlestrong）anddon’tforgettotellherwhatabeautifulnatureI’vedeveloped。
　　Affectionately，JudyLOCKWILLOW，4thAprilDearDaddy，Doyouobservethepostmark？SallieandIareembellishingLockWillowwithourpresenceduringtheEasterVacation。
　　Wedecidedthatthebestthingwecoulddowithourtendayswastocomewhereitisquiet。Ournerveshadgottothepointwheretheywouldn’tstandanothermealinFergussen。Dininginaroomwithfourhundredgirlsisanordealwhenyouaretired。
　　Thereissomuchnoisethatyoucan’thearthegirlsacrossthetablespeakunlesstheymaketheirhandsintoamegaphoneandshout。
　　Thatisthetruth。
　　Wearetrampingoverthehillsandreadingandwriting，andhavinganice，restfultime。Weclimbedtothetopof`SkyHill’
　　thismorningwhereMasterJervieandIoncecookedsupper——
　　itdoesn’tseempossiblethatitwasnearlytwoyearsago。Icouldstillseetheplacewherethesmokeofourfireblackenedtherock。
　　Itisfunnyhowcertainplacesgetconnectedwithcertainpeople，andyounevergobackwithoutthinkingofthem。Iwasquitelonelywithouthim——fortwominutes。
　　Whatdoyouthinkismylatestactivity，Daddy？YouwillbegintobelievethatIamincorrigible——Iamwritingabook。Istarteditthreeweeksagoandameatingitupinchunks。I’vecaughtthesecret。
　　MasterJervieandthateditormanwereright;youaremostconvincingwhenyouwriteaboutthethingsyouknow。AndthistimeitisaboutsomethingthatIdoknow——exhaustively。Guesswhereit’slaid？
　　IntheJohnGrierHome！Andit’sgood，Daddy，Iactuallybelieveitis——justaboutthetinylittlethingsthathappenedeveryday。
　　I’marealistnow。I’veabandonedromanticism;Ishallgobacktoitlaterthough，whenmyownadventurousfuturebegins。
　　Thisnewbookisgoingtogetitselffinished——andpublished！
　　Youseeifitdoesn’t。Ifyoujustwantathinghardenoughandkeepontrying，youdogetitintheend。I’vebeentryingforfouryearstogetaletterfromyou——andIhaven’tgivenuphopeyet。
　　Goodbye，Daddydear，（IliketocallyouDaddydear;it’ssoalliterative。）
　　Affectionately，JudyPS。Iforgottotellyouthefarmnews，butit’sverydistressing。
　　Skipthispostscriptifyoudon’twantyoursensibilitiesallwroughtup。
　　PooroldGroveisdead。Hegotsothathecouldn’tchewandtheyhadtoshoothim。
　　Ninechickenswerekilledbyaweaseloraskunkoraratlastweek。
　　Oneofthecowsissick，andwehadtohavetheveterinarysurgeonoutfromBonnyriggFourCorners。Amasaistayedupallnighttogiveherlinseedoilandwhisky。Butwehaveanawfulsuspicionthatthepoorsickcowgotnothingbutlinseedoil。
　　SentimentalTommy（thetortoise-shellcat）hasdisappeared;
　　weareafraidhehasbeencaughtinatrap。
　　Therearelotsoftroublesintheworld！
　　17thMayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Thisisgoingtobeextremelyshortbecausemyshoulderachesatthesightofapen。Lecturenotesallday，immortalnovelallevening，maketoomuchwriting。
　　CommencementthreeweeksfromnextWednesday。Ithinkyoumightcomeandmakemyacquaintance——Ishallhateyouifyoudon’t！Julia’sinvitingMasterJervie，hebeingherfamily，andSallie’sinvitingJimmieMcB。，hebeingherfamily，butwhoisthereformetoinvite？
　　JustyouandLippett，andIdon’twanther。Pleasecome。
　　Yours，withloveandwriter’scramp。
　　JudyLOCKWILLOW，19thJuneDearDaddy-Long-Legs，I’meducated！Mydiplomaisinthebottombureaudrawerwithmytwobestdresses。Commencementwasasusual，withafewshowersatvitalmoments。Thankyouforyourrosebuds。Theywerelovely。
　　MasterJervieandMasterJimmiebothgavemeroses，too，butIlefttheirsinthebathtubandcarriedyoursintheclassprocession。
　　HereIamatLockWillowforthesummer——forevermaybe。Theboardischeap;thesurroundingsquietandconducivetoaliterarylife。
　　Whatmoredoesastrugglingauthorwish？Iammadaboutmybook。
　　Ithinkofiteverywakingmoment，anddreamofitatnight。AllI
　　wantispeaceandquietandlotsoftimetowork（interspersedwithnourishingmeals）。
　　MasterJervieiscomingupforaweekorsoinAugust，andJimmieMcBrideisgoingtodropinsometimethroughthesummer。
　　He’sconnectedwithabondhousenow，andgoesaboutthecountrysellingbondstobanks。He’sgoingtocombinethe`Farmers’National’
　　attheCornersandmeonthesametrip。
　　YouseethatLockWillowisn’tentirelylackinginsociety。
　　I’dbeexpectingtohaveyoucomemotoringthrough——onlyIknownowthatthatishopeless。Whenyouwouldn’tcometomycommencement，Itoreyoufrommyheartandburiedyouforever。
　　JudyAbbott，A。B。
　　24thJulyDearestDaddy-Long-Legs，Isn’titfuntowork——ordon’tyoueverdoit？It’sespeciallyfunwhenyourkindofworkisthethingyou’dratherdomorethananythingelseintheworld。I’vebeenwritingasfastasmypenwouldgoeverydaythissummer，andmyonlyquarrelwithlifeisthatthedaysaren’tlongenoughtowriteallthebeautifulandvaluableandentertainingthoughtsI’mthinking。
　　I’vefinishedtheseconddraftofmybookandamgoingtobeginthethirdtomorrowmorningathalf-pastseven。It’sthesweetestbookyoueversaw——itis，truly。Ithinkofnothingelse。
　　Icanbarelywaitinthemorningtodressandeatbeforebeginning;
　　thenIwriteandwriteandwritetillsuddenlyI’msotiredthatI’mlimpallover。ThenIgooutwithColin（thenewsheepdog）andrompthroughthefieldsandgetafreshsupplyofideasforthenextday。
　　It’sthemostbeautifulbookyoueversaw——Oh，pardon——Isaidthatbefore。
　　Youdon’tthinkmeconceited，doyou，Daddydear？
　　I’mnot，really，onlyjustnowI’mintheenthusiasticstage。
　　MaybelateronI’llgetcoldandcriticalandsniffy。No，I’msureIwon’t！ThistimeI’vewrittenarealbook。Justwaittillyouseeit。
　　I’lltryforaminutetotalkaboutsomethingelse。Inevertoldyou，didI，thatAmasaiandCarriegotmarriedlastMay？Theyarestillworkinghere，butsofarasIcanseeithasspoiledthemboth。
　　Sheusedtolaughwhenhetrampedinmudordroppedashesonthefloor，butnow——youshouldhearherscold！Andshedoesn’tcurlherhairanylonger。Amasai，whousedtobesoobligingaboutbeatingrugsandcarryingwood，grumblesifyousuggestsuchathing。
　　Alsohisnecktiesarequitedingy——blackandbrown，wheretheyusedtobescarletandpurple。I’vedeterminednevertomarry。
　　It’sadeterioratingprocess，evidently。
　　Thereisn’tmuchofanyfarmnews。Theanimalsareallinthebestofhealth。Thepigsareunusuallyfat，thecowsseemcontentedandthehensarelayingwell。Areyouinterestedinpoultry？
　　Ifso，letmerecommendthatinvaluablelittlework，200EggsperHenperYear。Iamthinkingofstartinganincubatornextspringandraisingbroilers。YouseeI’msettledatLockWillowpermanently。
　　IhavedecidedtostayuntilI’vewritten114novelslikeAnthonyTrollope’smother。ThenIshallhavecompletedmylifeworkandcanretireandtravel。
　　Mr。JamesMcBridespentlastSundaywithus。Friedchickenandice-creamfordinner，bothofwhichheappearedtoappreciate。Iwasawfullygladtoseehim;hebroughtamomentaryreminderthattheworldatlargeexists。PoorJimmieishavingahardtimepeddlinghisbonds。
　　The`Farmers’National’attheCornerswouldn’thaveanythingtodowiththeminspiteofthefactthattheypaysixpercent。
　　interestandsometimesseven。Ithinkhe’llendupbygoinghometoWorcesterandtakingajobinhisfather’sfactory。He’stooopenandconfidingandkind-heartedevertomakeasuccessfulfinancier。
　　Buttobethemanagerofaflourishingoverallfactoryisaverydesirableposition，don’tyouthink？Justnowheturnsuphisnoseatoveralls，buthe’llcometothem。
　　Ihopeyouappreciatethefactthatthisisalongletterfromapersonwithwriter’scramp。ButIstillloveyou，Daddydear，andI’mveryhappy。Withbeautifulsceneryallabout，andlotstoeatandacomfortablefour-postbedandareamofblankpaperandapintofink——whatmoredoesonewantintheworld？
　　Yoursasalways，JudyPS。Thepostmanarriveswithsomemorenews。WearetoexpectMasterJervieonFridaynexttospendaweek。That’saverypleasantprospect——onlyIamafraidmypoorbookwillsuffer。
　　MasterJervieisverydemanding。
　　27thAugustDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Whereareyou，Iwonder？
　　Ineverknowwhatpartoftheworldyouarein，butIhopeyou’renotinNewYorkduringthisawfulweather。Ihopeyou’reonamountainpeak（butnotinSwitzerland;somewherenearer）lookingatthesnowandthinkingaboutme。Pleasebethinkingaboutme。
　　I’mquitelonelyandIwanttobethoughtabout。Oh，Daddy，IwishIknewyou！Thenwhenwewereunhappywecouldcheereachotherup。
　　Idon’tthinkIcanstandmuchmoreofLockWillow。I’mthinkingofmoving。SallieisgoingtodosettlementworkinBostonnextwinter。Don’tyouthinkitwouldbeniceformetogowithher，thenwecouldhaveastudiotogether？IwouldwritewhilesheSETTLEDandwecouldbetogetherintheevenings。Eveningsareverylongwhenthere’snoonebuttheSemplesandCarrieandAmasaitotalkto。Iknowinadvancethatyouwon’tlikemystudioidea。
　　Icanreadyoursecretary’sletternow：
　　`MissJerushaAbbott。
　　`DEARMADAM，`Mr。SmithprefersthatyouremainatLockWillow。
　　`Yourstruly，`ELMERH。GRIGGS。’
　　Ihateyoursecretary。IamcertainthatamannamedElmerH。
　　Griggsmustbehorrid。Buttruly，Daddy，IthinkIshallhavetogotoBoston。Ican’tstayhere。Ifsomethingdoesn’thappensoon，Ishallthrowmyselfintothesilopitoutofsheerdesperation。
　　Mercy！butit’shot。Allthegrassisburntupandthebrooksaredryandtheroadsaredusty。Ithasn’trainedforweeksandweeks。
　　ThislettersoundsasthoughIhadhydrophobia，butIhaven’t。I
　　justwantsomefamily。
　　Goodbye，mydearestDaddy。
　　IwishIknewyou。
　　JudyLOCKWILLOW，19thSeptemberDearDaddy，SomethinghashappenedandIneedadvice。Ineeditfromyou，andfromnobodyelseintheworld。Wouldn’titbepossibleformetoseeyou？It’ssomucheasiertotalkthantowrite;andI’mafraidyoursecretarymightopentheletter。
　　JudyPS。I’mveryunhappy。
　　LOCKWILLOW，3rdOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Yournotewritteninyourownhand——andaprettywobblyhand！——
　　camethismorning。Iamsosorrythatyouhavebeenill;Iwouldn’thavebotheredyouwithmyaffairsifIhadknown。Yes，Iwilltellyouthetrouble，butit’ssortofcomplicatedtowrite，andVERYPRIVATE。
　　Pleasedon’tkeepthisletter，butburnit。
　　BeforeIbegin——here’sachequeforonethousanddollars。
　　Itseemsfunny，doesn’tit，formetobesendingachequetoyou？
　　WheredoyouthinkIgotit？
　　I’vesoldmystory，Daddy。It’sgoingtobepublishedseriallyinsevenparts，andtheninabook！YoumightthinkI’dbewildwithjoy，butI’mnot。I’mentirelyapathetic。OfcourseI’mgladtobeginpayingyou——Ioweyouovertwothousandmore。It’scomingininstalments。Nowdon’tbehorrid，please，abouttakingit，becauseitmakesmehappytoreturnit。Ioweyouagreatdealmorethanthemeremoney，andtherestIwillcontinuetopayallmylifeingratitudeandaffection。
　　Andnow，Daddy，abouttheotherthing;pleasegivemeyourmostworldlyadvice，whetheryouthinkI’lllikeitornot。
　　YouknowthatI’vealwayshadaveryspecialfeelingtowardsyou;
　　yousortofrepresentedmywholefamily;butyouwon’tmind，willyou，ifItellyouthatIhaveaverymuchmorespecialfeelingforanotherman？Youcanprobablyguesswithoutmuchtroublewhoheis。
　　IsuspectthatmylettershavebeenveryfullofMasterJervieforaverylongtime。
　　IwishIcouldmakeyouunderstandwhatheislikeandhowentirelycompanionableweare。Wethinkthesameabouteverything——
　　IamafraidIhaveatendencytomakeovermyideastomatchhis！
　　Butheisalmostalwaysright;heoughttobe，youknow，forhehasfourteenyears’startofme。Inotherways，though，he’sjustanovergrownboy，andhedoesneedlookingafter——
　　hehasn’tanysenseaboutwearingrubberswhenitrains。HeandI
　　alwaysthinkthesamethingsarefunny，andthatissuchalot;
　　it’sdreadfulwhentwopeople’ssensesofhumourareantagonistic。
　　Idon’tbelievethere’sanybridgingthatgulf！
　　Andheis——Oh，well！Heisjusthimself，andImisshim，andmisshim，andmisshim。Thewholeworldseemsemptyandaching。Ihatethemoonlightbecauseit’sbeautifulandheisn’theretoseeitwithme。
　　Butmaybeyou’velovedsomebody，too，andyouknow？Ifyouhave，Idon’tneedtoexplain;ifyouhaven’t，Ican’texplain。
　　Anyway，that’sthewayIfeel——andI’verefusedtomarryhim。
　　Ididn’ttellhimwhy;Iwasjustdumbandmiserable。Icouldn’tthinkofanythingtosay。AndnowhehasgoneawayimaginingthatIwanttomarryJimmieMcBride——Idon’tintheleast，Iwouldn’tthinkofmarryingJimmie;heisn’tgrownupenough。
　　ButMasterJervieandIgotintoadreadfulmuddleofmisunderstandingandwebothhurteachother’sfeelings。ThereasonIsenthimawaywasnotbecauseIdidn’tcareforhim，butbecauseIcaredforhimsomuch。Iwasafraidhewouldregretitinthefuture——
　　andIcouldn’tstandthat！Itdidn’tseemrightforapersonofmylackofantecedentstomarryintoanysuchfamilyashis。
　　Inevertoldhimabouttheorphanasylum，andIhatedtoexplainthatIdidn’tknowwhoIwas。ImaybeDREADFUL，youknow。
　　Andhisfamilyareproud——andI’mproud，too！
　　Also，Ifeltsortofboundtoyou。Afterhavingbeeneducatedtobeawriter，Imustatleasttrytobeone;itwouldscarcelybefairtoacceptyoureducationandthengooffandnotuseit。
　　ButnowthatIamgoingtobeabletopaybackthemoney，IfeelthatIhavepartiallydischargedthatdebt——besides，IsupposeIcouldkeeponbeingawriterevenifIdidmarry。Thetwoprofessionsarenotnecessarilyexclusive。
　　I’vebeenthinkingveryhardaboutit。OfcourseheisaSocialist，andhehasunconventionalideas;maybehewouldn’tmindmarryingintotheproletariatsomuchassomemenmight。Perhapswhentwopeopleareexactlyinaccord，andalwayshappywhentogetherandlonelywhenapart，theyoughtnottoletanythingintheworldstandbetweenthem。
　　OfcourseIWANTtobelievethat！ButI’dliketogetyourunemotionalopinion。YouprobablybelongtoaFamilyalso，andwilllookatitfromaworldlypointofviewandnotjustasympathetic，humanpointofview——soyouseehowbraveIamtolayitbeforeyou。
　　SupposeIgotohimandexplainthatthetroubleisn’tJimmie，butistheJohnGrierHome——wouldthatbeadreadfulthingformetodo？Itwouldtakeagreatdealofcourage。I’dalmostratherbemiserablefortherestofmylife。
　　Thishappenednearlytwomonthsago;Ihaven’theardawordfromhimsincehewashere。Iwasjustgettingsortofacclimatedtothefeelingofabrokenheart，whenalettercamefromJuliathatstirredmeallupagain。Shesaid——verycasually——that`UncleJervis’
　　hadbeencaughtoutallnightinastormwhenhewashuntinginCanada，andhadbeenilleversincewithpneumonia。AndIneverknewit。
　　Iwasfeelinghurtbecausehehadjustdisappearedintoblanknesswithoutaword。Ithinkhe’sprettyunhappy，andIknowIam！
　　Whatseemstoyoutherightthingformetodo？
　　Judy6thOctoberDearestDaddy-Long-Legs，Yes，certainlyI’llcome——athalf-pastfournextWednesdayafternoon。
　　OfCOURSEIcanfindtheway。I’vebeeninNewYorkthreetimesandamnotquiteababy。Ican’tbelievethatIamreallygoingtoseeyou——
　　I’vebeenjustTHINKINGyousolongthatithardlyseemsasthoughyouareatangibleflesh-and-bloodperson。
　　Youareawfullygood，Daddy，tobotheryourselfwithme，whenyou’renotstrong。Takecareanddon’tcatchcold。Thesefallrainsareverydamp。
　　Affectionately，JudyPS。I’vejusthadanawfulthought。Haveyouabutler？I’mafraidofbutlers，andifoneopensthedoorIshallfaintuponthestep。
　　WhatcanIsaytohim？Youdidn’ttellmeyourname。ShallIaskforMr。Smith？
　　ThursdayMorningMyVeryDearestMaster-Jervie-Daddy-Long-LegsPendleton-Smith，Didyousleeplastnight？Ididn’t。Notasinglewink。Iwastooamazedandexcitedandbewilderedandhappy。Idon’tbelieveIevershallsleepagain——oreateither。ButIhopeyouslept;
　　youmust，youknow，becausethenyouwillgetwellfasterandcancometome。
　　DearMan，Ican’tbeartothinkhowillyou’vebeen——andallthetimeIneverknewit。Whenthedoctorcamedownyesterdaytoputmeinthecab，hetoldmethatforthreedaystheygaveyouup。
　　Oh，dearest，ifthathadhappened，thelightwouldhavegoneoutoftheworldforme。Isupposethatsomedayinthefarfuture——
　　oneofusmustleavetheother;butatleastweshallhavehadourhappinessandtherewillbememoriestolivewith。
　　Imeanttocheeryouup——andinsteadIhavetocheermyself。
　　ForinspiteofbeinghappierthanIeverdreamedIcouldbe，I’malsosoberer。Thefearthatsomethingmayhappenrestslikeashadowonmyheart。AlwaysbeforeIcouldbefrivolousandcare-freeandunconcerned，becauseIhadnothingprecioustolose。
　　Butnow——IshallhaveaGreatBigWorryalltherestofmylife。
　　WheneveryouareawayfrommeIshallbethinkingofalltheautomobilesthatcanrunoveryou，orthesign-boardsthatcanfallonyourhead，orthedreadful，squirmygermsthatyoumaybeswallowing。Mypeaceofmindisgoneforever——butanyway，Inevercaredmuchforjustplainpeace。
　　Pleasegetwell——fast——fast——fast。IwanttohaveyouclosebywhereIcantouchyouandmakesureyouaretangible。Suchalittlehalfhourwehadtogether！I’mafraidmaybeIdreamedit。
　　IfIwereonlyamemberofyourfamily（averydistantfourthcousin）
　　thenIcouldcomeandvisityoueveryday，andreadaloudandplumpupyourpillowandsmoothoutthosetwolittlewrinklesinyourforeheadandmakethecornersofyourmouthturnupinanicecheerfulsmile。
　　Butyouarecheerfulagain，aren’tyou？YouwereyesterdaybeforeIleft。ThedoctorsaidImustbeagoodnurse，thatyoulookedtenyearsyounger。Ihopethatbeinginlovedoesn’tmakeeveryonetenyearsyounger。Willyoustillcareforme，darling，ifI
　　turnouttobeonlyeleven？
　　Yesterdaywasthemostwonderfuldaythatcouldeverhappen。
　　IfIlivetobeninety-nineIshallneverforgetthetiniestdetail。
　　ThegirlthatleftLockWillowatdawnwasaverydifferentpersonfromtheonewhocamebackatnight。Mrs。Semplecalledmeathalf-pastfour。
　　Istartedwideawakeinthedarknessandthefirstthoughtthatpoppedintomyheadwas，`IamgoingtoseeDaddy-Long-Legs！’Iatebreakfastinthekitchenbycandle-light，andthendrovethefivemilestothestationthroughthemostgloriousOctobercolouring。
　　Thesuncameupontheway，andtheswampmaplesanddogwoodglowedcrimsonandorangeandthestonewallsandcornfieldssparkledwithhoarfrost;theairwaskeenandclearandfullofpromise。
　　Iknewsomethingwasgoingtohappen。Allthewayinthetraintherailskeptsinging，`You’regoingtoseeDaddy-Long-Legs。’
　　Itmademefeelsecure。IhadsuchfaithinDaddy’sabilitytosetthingsright。AndIknewthatsomewhereanotherman——dearerthanDaddy——
　　waswantingtoseeme，andsomehowIhadafeelingthatbeforethejourneyendedIshouldmeethim，too。Andyousee！
　　WhenIcametothehouseonMadisonAvenueitlookedsobigandbrownandforbiddingthatIdidn’tdaregoin，soIwalkedaroundtheblocktogetupmycourage。ButIneedn’thavebeenabitafraid;
　　yourbutlerissuchanice，fatherlyoldmanthathemademefeelathomeatonce。`IsthisMissAbbott？’hesaidtome，andIsaid，`Yes，’soIdidn’thavetoaskforMr。Smithafterall。
　　Hetoldmetowaitinthedrawing-room。Itwasaverysombre，magnificent，man’ssortofroom。Isatdownontheedgeofabigupholsteredchairandkeptsayingtomyself：
　　`I’mgoingtoseeDaddy-Long-Legs！I’mgoingtoseeDaddy-Long-Legs！’
　　Thenpresentlythemancamebackandaskedmepleasetostepuptothelibrary。Iwassoexcitedthatreallyandtrulymyfeetwouldhardlytakemeup。Outsidethedoorheturnedandwhispered，`He’sbeenveryill，Miss。Thisisthefirstdayhe’sbeenallowedtositup。You’llnotstaylongenoughtoexcitehim？’
　　Iknewfromthewayhesaiditthathelovedyou——anIthinkhe’sanolddear！
　　Thenheknockedandsaid，`MissAbbott，’andIwentinandthedoorclosedbehindme。
　　ItwassodimcominginfromthebrightlylightedhallthatforamomentIcouldscarcelymakeoutanything;thenIsawabigeasychairbeforethefireandashiningteatablewithasmallerchairbesideit。AndIrealizedthatamanwassittinginthebigchairproppedupbypillowswitharugoverhisknees。BeforeIcouldstophimherose——rathershakily——andsteadiedhimselfbythebackofthechairandjustlookedatmewithoutaword。Andthen——
　　andthen——Isawitwasyou！ButevenwiththatIdidn’tunderstand。
　　IthoughtDaddyhadhadyoucometheretomeetmeorasurprise。
　　Thenyoulaughedandheldoutyourhandandsaid，`DearlittleJudy，couldn’tyouguessthatIwasDaddy-Long-Legs？’
　　Inaninstantitflashedoverme。Oh，butIhavebeenstupid！
　　Ahundredlittlethingsmighthavetoldme，ifIhadhadanywits。
　　Iwouldn’tmakeaverygooddetective，wouldI，Daddy？Jervie？
　　WhatmustIcallyou？JustplainJerviesoundsdisrespectful，andI
　　can’tbedisrespectfultoyou！
　　Itwasaverysweethalfhourbeforeyourdoctorcameandsentmeaway。
　　IwassodazedwhenIgottothestationthatIalmosttookatrainforStLouis。Andyouwereprettydazed，too。Youforgottogivemeanytea。Butwe’rebothvery，veryhappy，aren’twe？IdrovebacktoLockWillowinthedarkbutoh，howthestarswereshining！
　　AndthismorningI’vebeenoutwithColinvisitingalltheplacesthatyouandIwenttotogether，andrememberingwhatyousaidandhowyoulooked。Thewoodstodayareburnishedbronzeandtheairisfulloffrost。It’sCLIMBINGweather。Iwishyouwereheretoclimbthehillswithme。Iammissingyoudreadfully，Jerviedear，butit’sahappykindofmissing;we’llbetogethersoon。Webelongtoeachothernowreallyandtruly，nomake-believe。Doesn’titseemqueerformetobelongtosomeoneatlast？Itseemsvery，verysweet。
　　AndIshallneverletyoubesorryforasingleinstant。
　　Yours，foreverandever，JudyPS。Thisisthefirstlove-letterIeverwrote。Isn’titfunnythatIknowhow？