Idon’tknowwhyIaminsuchareminiscentmoodexceptthatspringandthereappearanceoftoadsalwaysawakenstheoldacquisitiveinstinct。Theonlythingthatkeepsmefromstartingacollectionisthefactthatnoruleexistsagainstit。
　　Afterchapel，ThursdayWhatdoyouthinkismyfavouritebook？Justnow，Imean;Ichangeeverythreedays。WutheringHeights。EmilyBrontewasquiteyoungwhenshewroteit，andhadneverbeenoutsideofHaworthchurchyard。
　　Shehadneverknownanymeninherlife;howCOULDsheimagineamanlikeHeathcliffe？
　　Icouldn’tdoit，andI’mquiteyoungandneveroutsidetheJohnGrierAsylum——I’vehadeverychanceintheworld。SometimesadreadfulfearcomesovermethatI’mnotagenius。Willyoubeawfullydisappointed，Daddy，ifIdon’tturnouttobeagreatauthor？
　　Inthespringwheneverythingissobeautifulandgreenandbudding，Ifeelliketurningmybackonlessons，andrunningawaytoplaywiththeweather。Therearesuchlotsofadventuresoutinthefields！
　　It’smuchmoreentertainingtolivebooksthantowritethem。
　　Ow！！！！！！
　　ThatwasashriekwhichbroughtSallieandJuliaand（foradisgustedmoment）theSeniorfromacrossthehall。Itwascausedbyacentipedelikethis：onlyworse。JustasIhadfinishedthelastsentenceandwasthinkingwhattosaynext——plump！——itfellofftheceilingandlandedatmyside。Itippedtwocupsofftheteatableintryingtogetaway。Salliewhackeditwiththebackofmyhairbrush——whichIshallneverbeabletouseagain——andkilledthefrontend，buttherearfiftyfeetranunderthebureauandescaped。
　　Thisdormitory，owingtoitsageandivy-coveredwalls，isfullofcentipedes。Theyaredreadfulcreatures。I’dratherfindatigerunderthebed。
　　Friday，9。30p。m。
　　Suchalotoftroubles！Ididn’theartherisingbellthismorning，thenIbrokemyshoestringwhileIwashurryingtodressanddroppedmycollarbuttondownmyneck。Iwaslateforbreakfastandalsoforfirst-hourrecitation。Iforgottotakeanyblottingpaperandmyfountainpenleaked。IntrigonometrytheProfessorandIhadadisagreementtouchingalittlematteroflogarithms。
　　Onlookingitup，Ifindthatshewasright。Wehadmuttonstewandpie-plantforlunch——hate’emboth;theytasteliketheasylum。
　　Thepostbroughtmenothingbutbills（thoughImustsaythatI
　　neverdogetanythingelse;myfamilyarenotthekindthatwrite）。
　　InEnglishclassthisafternoonwehadanunexpectedwrittenlesson。
　　Thiswasit：
　　Iaskednootherthing，Nootherwasdenied。
　　IofferedBeingforit;
　　Themightymerchantsmiled。
　　Brazil？HetwirledabuttonWithoutaglancemyway：
　　But，madam，istherenothingelseThatwecanshowtoday？
　　Thatisapoem。Idon’tknowwhowroteitorwhatitmeans。Itwassimplyprintedoutontheblackboardwhenwearrivedandwewereorderedtocommentuponit。WhenIreadthefirstverseIthoughtIhadanidea——TheMightyMerchantwasadivinitywhodistributesblessingsinreturnforvirtuousdeeds——
　　butwhenIgottothesecondverseandfoundhimtwirlingabutton，itseemedablasphemoussupposition，andIhastilychangedmymind。
　　Therestoftheclasswasinthesamepredicament;andtherewesatforthree-quartersofanhourwithblankpaperandequallyblankminds。Gettinganeducationisanawfullywearingprocess！
　　Butthisdidn’tendtheday。There’sworsetocome。
　　Itrainedsowecouldn’tplaygolf，buthadtogotogymnasiuminstead。
　　ThegirlnexttomebangedmyelbowwithanIndianclub。Igothometofindthattheboxwithmynewbluespringdresshadcome，andtheskirtwassotightthatIcouldn’tsitdown。Fridayissweepingday，andthemaidhadmixedallthepapersonmydesk。
　　Wehadtombstonefordessert（milkandgelatinflavouredwithvanilla）。
　　Wewerekeptinchapeltwentyminuteslaterthanusualtolistentoaspeechaboutwomanlywomen。Andthen——justasIwassettlingdownwithasighofwell-earnedrelieftoThePortraitofaLady，agirlnamedAckerly，adough-faced，deadly，unintermittentlystupidgirl，whositsnexttomeinLatinbecausehernamebeginswithA（I
　　wishMrs。LippetthadnamedmeZabriski），cametoaskifMonday’slessoncommencedatparagraph69or70，andstayedONEHOUR。
　　Shehasjustgone。
　　Didyoueverhearofsuchadiscouragingseriesofevents？
　　Itisn’tthebigtroublesinlifethatrequirecharacter。
　　Anybodycanrisetoacrisisandfaceacrushingtragedywithcourage，buttomeetthepettyhazardsofthedaywithalaugh——IreallythinkthatrequiresSPIRIT。
　　It’sthekindofcharacterthatIamgoingtodevelop。IamgoingtopretendthatalllifeisjustagamewhichImustplayasskilfullyandfairlyasIcan。IfIlose，Iamgoingtoshrugmyshouldersandlaugh——alsoifIwin。
　　Anyway，Iamgoingtobeasport。Youwillneverhearmecomplainagain，Daddydear，becauseJuliawearssilkstockingsandcentipedesdropoffthewall。
　　Yoursever，JudyAnswersoon。
　　27thMayDaddy-Long-Legs，Esq。
　　DEARSIR：IaminreceiptofaletterfromMrs。Lippett。
　　ShehopesthatIamdoingwellindeportmentandstudies。
　　SinceIprobablyhavenoplacetogothissummer，shewillletmecomebacktotheasylumandworkformyboarduntilcollegeopens。
　　IHATETHEJOHNGRIERHOME。
　　I’dratherdiethangoback。
　　Yoursmosttruthfully，JerushaAbbottCherDaddy-Jambes-Longes，Vousetesunbrick！
　　Jesuistresheureuseaboutthefarm，parcequejen’aijamaisbeenonafarmdansmavieandI’dhatetoretoumerchezJohnGrier，etwashdishestoutl’ete。Therewouldbedangerofquelquechoseaffreusehappening，parcequej’aiperduemahumilited’autrefoisetj’aipeurthatIwouldjustbreakoutquelquejouretsmasheverycupandsaucerdanslamaison。
　　Pardonbrieveteetpaper。JenepeuxpassenddesmesnouvellesparcequejesuisdansFrenchclassetj’aipeurqueMonsieurleProfesseurisgoingtocallonmetoutdesuite。
　　Hedid！
　　Aurevoir，jevousaimebeaucoup。
　　Judy30thMayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Didyoueverseethiscampus？（Thatismerelyarhetoricalquestion。
　　Don’tletitannoyyou。）ItisaheavenlyspotinMay。Alltheshrubsareinblossomandthetreesaretheloveliestyounggreen——
　　eventheoldpineslookfreshandnew。Thegrassisdottedwithyellowdandelionsandhundredsofgirlsinblueandwhiteandpinkdresses。
　　Everybodyisjoyousandcarefree，forvacation’scoming，andwiththattolookforwardto，examinationsdon’tcount。
　　Isn’tthatahappyframeofmindtobein？Andoh，Daddy！
　　I’mthehappiestofall！BecauseI’mnotintheasylumanymore;
　　andI’mnotanybody’snursemaidortypewriterorbookkeeper（I
　　shouldhavebeen，youknow，exceptforyou）。
　　I’msorrynowforallmypastbadnesses。
　　I’msorryIwaseverimpertinenttoMrs。Lippett。
　　I’msorryIeverslappedFreddiePerkins。
　　I’msorryIeverfilledthesugarbowlwithsalt。
　　I’msorryIevermadefacesbehindtheTrustees’backs。
　　I’mgoingtobegoodandsweetandkindtoeverybodybecauseI’msohappy。AndthissummerI’mgoingtowriteandwriteandwriteandbegintobeagreatauthor。Isn’tthatanexaltedstandtotake？Oh，I’mdevelopingabeautifulcharacter！Itdroopsabitundercoldandfrost，butitdoesgrowfastwhenthesunshines。
　　That’sthewaywitheverybody。Idon’tagreewiththetheorythatadversityandsorrowanddisappointmentdevelopmoralstrength。
　　Thehappypeoplearetheoneswhoarebubblingoverwithkindliness。
　　Ihavenofaithinmisanthropes。（Fineword！Justlearnedit。）
　　Youarenotamisanthropeareyou，Daddy？
　　Istartedtotellyouaboutthecampus。Iwishyou’dcomeforalittlevisitandletmewalkyouaboutandsay：
　　`Thatisthelibrary。Thisisthegasplant，Daddydear。
　　TheGothicbuildingonyourleftisthegymnasium，andtheTudorRomanesquebesideitisthenewinfirmary。’
　　Oh，I’mfineatshowingpeopleabout。I’vedoneitallmylifeattheasylum，andI’vebeendoingitalldayhere。Ihavehonestly。
　　AndaMan，too！
　　That’sagreatexperience。Inevertalkedtoamanbefore（exceptoccasionalTrustees，andtheydon’tcount）。Pardon，Daddy，Idon’tmeantohurtyourfeelingswhenIabuseTrustees。Idon’tconsiderthatyoureallybelongamongthem。YoujusttumbledontotheBoardbychance。TheTrustee，assuch，isfatandpompousandbenevolent。
　　Hepatsoneontheheadandwearsagoldwatchchain。
　　ThatlookslikeaJunebug，butismeanttobeaportraitofanyTrusteeexceptyou。
　　However——toresume：
　　Ihavebeenwalkingandtalkingandhavingteawithaman。
　　Andwithaverysuperiorman——withMr。JervisPendletonoftheHouseofJulia;heruncle，inshort（inlong，perhapsIoughttosay;
　　he’sastallasyou。）Beingintownonbusiness，hedecidedtorunouttothecollegeandcallonhisniece。He’sherfather’syoungestbrother，butshedoesn’tknowhimveryintimately。Itseemsheglancedatherwhenshewasababy，decidedhedidn’tlikeher，andhasnevernoticedhersince。
　　Anyway，therehewas，sittinginthereceptionroomveryproperwithhishatandstickandglovesbesidehim;andJuliaandSalliewithseventh-hourrecitationsthattheycouldn’tcut。SoJuliadashedintomyroomandbeggedmetowalkhimaboutthecampusandthendeliverhimtoherwhentheseventhhourwasover。
　　IsaidIwould，obliginglybutunenthusiastically，becauseIdon’tcaremuchforPendletons。
　　Butheturnedouttobeasweetlamb。He’sarealhumanbeing——
　　notaPendletonatall。Wehadabeautifultime;I’velongedforanuncleeversince。Doyoumindpretendingyou’remyuncle？
　　Ibelievethey’resuperiortograndmothers。
　　Mr。Pendletonremindedmealittleofyou，Daddy，asyouweretwentyyearsago。YouseeIknowyouintimately，evenifwehaven’tevermet！
　　He’stallandthinnishwithadarkfacealloverlines，andthefunniestunderneathsmilethatneverquitecomesthroughbutjustwrinklesupthecornersofhismouth。Andhehasawayofmakingyoufeelrightoffasthoughyou’dknownhimalongtime。
　　He’sverycompanionable。
　　Wewalkedalloverthecampusfromthequadrangletotheathleticgrounds;
　　thenhesaidhefeltweakandmusthavesometea。HeproposedthatwegotoCollegeInn——it’sjustoffthecampusbythepinewalk。
　　IsaidweoughttogobackforJuliaandSallie，buthesaidhedidn’tliketohavehisniecesdrinktoomuchtea;itmadethemnervous。
　　Sowejustranawayandhadteaandmuffinsandmarmaladeandice-creamandcakeatanicelittletableoutonthebalcony。
　　Theinnwasquiteconvenientlyempty，thisbeingtheendofthemonthandallowanceslow。
　　Wehadthejolliesttime！ButhehadtorunforhistraintheminutehegotbackandhebarelysawJuliaatall。Shewasfuriouswithmefortakinghimoff;itseemshe’sanunusuallyrichanddesirableuncle。Itrelievedmymindtofindhewasrich，fortheteaandthingscostsixtycentsapiece。
　　Thismorning（it’sMondaynow）threeboxesofchocolatescamebyexpressforJuliaandSallieandme。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？
　　Tobegettingcandyfromaman！
　　Ibegintofeellikeagirlinsteadofafoundling。
　　Iwishyou’dcomeandhaveteasomedayandletmeseeifIlikeyou。
　　Butwouldn’titbedreadfulifIdidn’t？However，IknowIshould。
　　Bien！Imakeyoumycompliments。
　　`Jamaisjenet’oublierai。’
　　JudyPS。IlookedintheglassthismorningandfoundaperfectlynewdimplethatI’dneverseenbefore。It’sverycurious。
　　Wheredoyousupposeitcamefrom？
　　9thJuneDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Happyday！I’vejustfinishedmylastexaminationPhysiology。
　　Andnow：
　　Threemonthsonafarm！
　　Idon’tknowwhatkindofathingafarmis。I’veneverbeenononeinmylife。I’veneverevenlookedatone（exceptfromthecarwindow），butIknowI’mgoingtoloveit，andI’mgoingtolovebeingFREE。
　　IamnotusedevenyettobeingoutsidetheJohnGrierHome。
　　WheneverIthinkofitexcitedlittlethrillschaseupanddownmyback。IfeelasthoughImustrunfasterandfasterandkeeplookingovermyshouldertomakesurethatMrs。Lippettisn’taftermewithherarmstretchedouttograbmeback。
　　Idon’thavetomindanyonethissummer，doI？
　　Yournominalauthoritydoesn’tannoymeintheleast;youaretoofarawaytodoanyharm。Mrs。Lippettisdeadforever，sofarasI
　　amconcerned，andtheSemplesaren’texpectedtooverlookmymoralwelfare，arethey？No，Iamsurenot。Iamentirelygrownup。Hooray！
　　Ileaveyounowtopackatrunk，andthreeboxesofteakettlesanddishesandsofacushionsandbooks。
　　Yoursever，JudyPS。Hereismyphysiologyexam。Doyouthinkyoucouldhavepassed？
　　LOCKWILLOWFARM，SaturdaynightDearestDaddy-Long-Legs，I’veonlyjustcomeandI’mnotunpacked，butIcan’twaittotellyouhowmuchIlikefarms。Thisisaheavenly，heavenly，HEAVENLYspot！
　　Thehouseissquarelikethis：AndOLD。Ahundredyearsorso。
　　IthasaverandaonthesidewhichIcan’tdrawandasweetporchinfront。Thepicturereallydoesn’tdoitjustice——thosethingsthatlooklikefeatherdustersaremapletrees，andthepricklyonesthatborderthedrivearemurmuringpinesandhemlocks。Itstandsonthetopofahillandlookswayoffovermilesofgreenmeadowstoanotherlineofhills。
　　ThatisthewayConnecticutgoes，inaseriesofMarcellewaves;
　　andLockWillowFarmisjustonthecrestofonewave。Thebarnsusedtobeacrosstheroadwheretheyobstructedtheview，butakindflashoflightningcamefromheavenandburntthemdown。
　　ThepeopleareMr。andMrs。Sempleandahiredgirlandtwohiredmen。
　　Thehiredpeopleeatinthekitchen，andtheSemplesandJudyinthedining-room。Wehadhamandeggsandbiscuitsandhoneyandjelly-cakeandpieandpicklesandcheeseandteaforsupper——
　　andagreatdealofconversation。Ihaveneverbeensoentertaininginmylife;everythingIsayappearstobefunny。Isupposeitis，becauseI’veneverbeeninthecountrybefore，andmyquestionsarebackedbyanall-inclusiveignorance。
　　Theroommarkedwithacrossisnotwherethemurderwascommitted，buttheonethatIoccupy。It’sbigandsquareandempty，withadorableold-fashionedfurnitureandwindowsthathavetobeproppeduponsticksandgreenshadestrimmedwithgoldthatfalldownifyoutouchthem。Andabigsquaremahoganytable——
　　I’mgoingtospendthesummerwithmyelbowsspreadoutonit，writinganovel。
　　Oh，Daddy，I’msoexcited！Ican’twaittilldaylighttoexplore。
　　It’s8。30now，andIamabouttoblowoutmycandleandtrytogotosleep。Weriseatfive。Didyoueverknowsuchfun？Ican’tbelievethisisreallyJudy。YouandtheGoodLordgivememorethanIdeserve。Imustbeavery，very，VERYgoodpersontopay。
　　I’mgoingtobe。You’llsee。
　　Goodnight，JudyPS。Youshouldhearthefrogssingandthelittlepigssquealandyoushouldseethenewmoon！Isawitovermyrightshoulder。
　　LOCKWILLOW，12thJulyDearDaddy-Long-Legs，HowdidyoursecretarycometoknowaboutLockWillow？
　　（Thatisn’tarhetoricalquestion。Iamawfullycurioustoknow。）
　　Forlistentothis：Mr。JervisPendletonusedtoownthisfarm，butnowhehasgivenittoMrs。Semplewhowashisoldnurse。
　　Didyoueverhearofsuchafunnycoincidence？Shestillcallshim`MasterJervie’andtalksaboutwhatasweetlittleboyheusedtobe。
　　Shehasoneofhisbabycurlsputawayinabox，anditisred——
　　oratleastreddish！
　　SinceshediscoveredthatIknowhim，Ihaverisenverymuchinheropinion。KnowingamemberofthePendletonfamilyisthebestintroductiononecanhaveatLockWillow。
　　AndthecreamofthewholefamilyisMasterJervis——
　　IampleasedtosaythatJuliabelongstoaninferiorbranch。
　　Thefarmgetsmoreandmoreentertaining。Irodeonahaywagonyesterday。Wehavethreebigpigsandninelittlepiglets，andyoushouldseethemeat。Theyarepigs！We’veoceansoflittlebabychickensandducksandturkeysandguineafowls。
　　Youmustbemadtoliveinacitywhenyoumightliveonafarm。
　　Itismydailybusinesstohunttheeggs。Ifelloffabeaminthebarnloftyesterday，whileIwastryingtocrawlovertoanestthattheblackhenhasstolen。AndwhenIcameinwithascratchedknee，Mrs。Semplebounditupwithwitch-hazel，murmuringallthetime，`Dear！Dear！ItseemsonlyyesterdaythatMasterJerviefelloffthatverysamebeamandscratchedthisverysameknee。’
　　Thesceneryaroundhereisperfectlybeautiful。There’savalleyandariverandalotofwoodedhills，andwayinthedistanceatallbluemountainthatsimplymeltsinyourmouth。
　　Wechurntwiceaweek;andwekeepthecreaminthespringhousewhichismadeofstonewiththebrookrunningunderneath。
　　Someofthefarmersaroundherehaveaseparator，butwedon’tcareforthesenew-fashionedideas。Itmaybealittlehardertoseparatethecreaminpans，butit’ssufficientlybettertopay。
　　Wehavesixcalves;andI’vechosenthenamesforallofthem。
　　1。Sylvia，becauseshewasborninthewoods。
　　2。Lesbia，aftertheLesbiainCatullus。
　　3。Sallie。
　　4。Julia——aspotted，nondescriptanimal。
　　5。Judy，afterme。
　　6。Daddy-Long-Legs。Youdon’tmind，doyou，Daddy？He’spureJerseyandhasasweetdisposition。Helookslikethis——youcanseehowappropriatethenameis。
　　Ihaven’thadtimeyettobeginmyimmortalnovel;thefarmkeepsmetoobusy。
　　Yoursalways，JudyPS。I’velearnedtomakedoughnuts。
　　PS。（2）Ifyouarethinkingofraisingchickens，letmerecommendBuffOrpingtons。Theyhaven’tanypinfeathers。
　　PS。（3）IwishIcouldsendyouapatofthenice，freshbutterIchurnedyesterday。I’mafinedairy-maid！
　　PS。（4）ThisisapictureofMissJerushaAbbott，thefuturegreatauthor，drivinghomethecows。
　　SundayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Isn’titfunny？Istartedtowritetoyouyesterdayafternoon，butasfarasIgotwastheheading，`DearDaddy-Long-Legs’，andthenIrememberedI’dpromisedtopicksomeblackberriesforsupper，soIwentoffandleftthesheetlyingonthetable，andwhenI
　　camebacktoday，whatdoyouthinkIfoundsittinginthemiddleofthepage？ArealtrueDaddy-Long-Legs！
　　Ipickedhimupverygentlybyoneleg，anddroppedhimoutofthewindow。Iwouldn’thurtoneofthemfortheworld。
　　Theyalwaysremindmeofyou。
　　WehitchedupthespringwagonthismorninganddrovetotheCentretochurch。It’sasweetlittlewhiteframechurchwithaspireandthreeDoriccolumnsinfront（ormaybeIonic——Ialwaysgetthemmixed）。
　　Anicesleepysermonwitheverybodydrowsilywavingpalm-leaffans，andtheonlysound，asidefromtheminister，thebuzzingoflocustsinthetreesoutside。Ididn’twakeuptillIfoundmyselfonmyfeetsingingthehymn，andthenIwasawfullysorryIhadn’tlistenedtothesermon;Ishouldliketoknowmoreofthepsychologyofamanwhowouldpickoutsuchahymn。Thiswasit：
　　Come，leaveyoursportsandearthlytoysAndjoinmeincelestialjoys。
　　Orelse，dearfriend，alongfarewell。
　　Ileaveyounowtosinktohell。
　　Ifindthatitisn’tsafetodiscussreligionwiththeSemples。
　　TheirGod（whomtheyhaveinheritedintactfromtheirremotePuritanancestors）isanarrow，irrational，unjust，mean，revengeful，bigotedPerson。ThankheavenIdon’tinheritGodfromanybody！
　　IamfreetomakemineupasIwishHim。He’skindandsympatheticandimaginativeandforgivingandunderstanding——andHehasasenseofhumour。
　　IliketheSemplesimmensely;theirpracticeissosuperiortotheirtheory。TheyarebetterthantheirownGod。Itoldthemso——
　　andtheyarehorriblytroubled。TheythinkIamblasphemous——
　　andIthinktheyare！We’vedroppedtheologyfromourconversation。
　　ThisisSundayafternoon。
　　Amasai（hiredman）inapurpletieandsomebrightyellowbuckskingloves，veryredandshaved，hasjustdrivenoffwithCarrie（hiredgirl）
　　inabighattrimmedwithredrosesandabluemuslindressandherhaircurledastightasitwillcurl。Amasaispentallthemorningwashingthebuggy;andCarriestayedhomefromchurchostensiblytocookthedinner，butreallytoironthemuslindress。
　　IntwominutesmorewhenthisletterisfinishedIamgoingtosettledowntoabookwhichIfoundintheattic。It’sentitled，OntheTrail，andsprawledacrossthefrontpageinafunnylittle-boyhand：
　　JervisPendletonifthisbookshouldeverroam，Boxitsearsandsendithome。
　　Hespentthesummerhereonceafterhehadbeenill，whenhewasaboutelevenyearsold;andheleftOntheTrailbehind。
　　Itlookswellread——themarksofhisgrimylittlehandsarefrequent！
　　Alsoinacorneroftheatticthereisawaterwheelandawindmillandsomebowsandarrows。Mrs。SempletalkssoconstantlyabouthimthatIbegintobelievehereallylives——notagrownmanwithasilkhatandwalkingstick，butanice，dirty，tousle-headedboywhoclattersupthestairswithanawfulracket，andleavesthescreendoorsopen，andisalwaysaskingforcookies。（Andgettingthem，too，ifI
　　knowMrs。Semple！）Heseemstohavebeenanadventurouslittlesoul——
　　andbraveandtruthful。I’msorrytothinkheisaPendleton;
　　hewasmeantforsomethingbetter。
　　We’regoingtobeginthreshingoatstomorrow;asteamengineiscomingandthreeextramen。
　　ItgrievesmetotellyouthatButtercup（thespottedcowwithonehorn，MotherofLesbia）hasdoneadisgracefulthing。ShegotintotheorchardFridayeveningandateapplesunderthetrees，andateandateuntiltheywenttoherhead。Fortwodaysshehasbeenperfectlydeaddrunk！ThatisthetruthIamtelling。
　　Didyoueverhearanythingsoscandalous？
　　Sir，Iremain，Youraffectionateorphan，JudyAbbottPS。Indiansinthefirstchapterandhighwaymeninthesecond。
　　Iholdmybreath。Whatcanthethirdcontain？`RedHawkleapttwentyfeetintheairandbitthedust。’Thatisthesubjectofthefrontispiece。Aren’tJudyandJerviehavingfun？
　　15thSeptemberDearDaddy，IwasweighedyesterdayontheflourscalesinthegeneralstoreattheComers。I’vegainedninepounds！LetmerecommendLockWillowasahealthresort。
　　Yoursever，JudyDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Beholdme——aSophomore！IcameuplastFriday，sorrytoleaveLockWillow，butgladtoseethecampusagain。Itisapleasantsensationtocomebacktosomethingfamiliar。Iambeginningtofeelathomeincollege，andincommandofthesituation;Iambeginning，infact，tofeelathomeintheworld——asthoughIreallybelongedtoitandhadnotjustcreptinonsufferance。
　　Idon’tsupposeyouunderstandintheleastwhatIamtryingtosay。
　　ApersonimportantenoughtobeaTrusteecan’tappreciatethefeelingsofapersonunimportantenoughtobeafoundling。
　　Andnow，Daddy，listentothis。WhomdoyouthinkIamroomingwith？
　　SallieMcBrideandJuliaRutledgePendleton。It’sthetruth。
　　Wehaveastudyandthreelittlebedrooms——VOILA！
　　SallieandIdecidedlastspringthatweshouldliketoroomtogether，andJuliamadeuphermindtostaywithSallie——why，Ican’timagine，fortheyarenotabitalike;butthePendletonsarenaturallyconservativeandinimical（fineword！）tochange。Anyway，hereweare。
　　ThinkofJerushaAbbott，lateoftheJohnGrierHomeforOrphans，roomingwithaPendleton。Thisisademocraticcountry。
　　Sallieisrunningforclasspresident，andunlessallsignsfail，sheisgoingtobeelected。Suchanatmosphereofintrigueyoushouldseewhatpoliticiansweare！Oh，Itellyou，Daddy，whenwewomengetourrights，youmenwillhavetolookaliveinordertokeepyours。
　　ElectioncomesnextSaturday，andwe’regoingtohaveatorchlightprocessionintheevening，nomatterwhowins。
　　Iambeginningchemistry，amostunusualstudy。I’veneverseenanythinglikeitbefore。MoleculesandAtomsarethematerialemployed，butI’llbeinapositiontodiscussthemmoredefinitelynextmonth。
　　Iamalsotakingargumentationandlogic。
　　Alsohistoryofthewholeworld。
　　AlsoplaysofWilliamShakespeare。
　　AlsoFrench。
　　Ifthiskeepsupmanyyearslonger，Ishallbecomequiteintelligent。
　　IshouldratherhaveelectedeconomicsthanFrench，butI
　　didn’tdare，becauseIwasafraidthatunlessIre-electedFrench，theProfessorwouldnotletmepass——asitwas，IjustmanagedtosqueezethroughtheJuneexamination。
　　ButIwillsaythatmyhigh-schoolpreparationwasnotveryadequate。
　　There’sonegirlintheclasswhochattersawayinFrenchasfastasshedoesinEnglish。Shewentabroadwithherparentswhenshewasachild，andspentthreeyearsinaconventschool。Youcanimaginehowbrightsheiscomparedwiththerestofus——irregularverbsaremereplaythings。IwishmyparentshadchuckedmeintoaFrenchconventwhenIwaslittleinsteadofafoundlingasylum。Ohno，Idon’teither！BecausethenmaybeIshouldneverhaveknownyou。
　　I’dratherknowyouthanFrench。
　　Goodbye，Daddy。ImustcallonHarrietMartinnow，and，havingdiscussedthechemicalsituation，casuallydropafewthoughtsonthesubjectofournextpresident。
　　Yoursinpolitics，J。Abbott17thOctoberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Supposingtheswimmingtankinthegymnasiumwerefilledfulloflemonjelly，couldapersontryingtoswimmanagetokeepontoporwouldhesink？
　　Wewerehavinglemonjellyfordessertwhenthequestioncameup。
　　Wediscusseditheatedlyforhalfanhourandit’sstillunsettled。
　　Salliethinksthatshecouldswiminit，butIamperfectlysurethatthebestswimmerintheworldwouldsink。Wouldn’titbefunnytobedrownedinlemonjelly？
　　Twootherproblemsareengagingtheattentionofourtable。
　　1st。Whatshapearetheroomsinanoctagonhouse？
　　Someofthegirlsinsistthatthey’resquare;
　　butIthinkthey’dhavetobeshapedlikeapieceofpie。Don’tyou？
　　2nd。Supposetherewereagreatbighollowspheremadeoflooking-glassandyouweresittinginside。Wherewoulditstopreflectingyourfaceandbeginreflectingyourback？Themoreonethinksaboutthisproblem，themorepuzzlingitbecomes。
　　Youcanseewithwhatdeepphilosophicalreflectionweengageourleisure！
　　DidIevertellyouabouttheelection？Ithappenedthreeweeksago，butsofastdowelive，thatthreeweeksisancienthistory。
　　Salliewaselected，andwehadatorchlightparadewithtransparenciessaying，`McBrideforEver，’andabandconsistingoffourteenpieces（threemouthorgansandelevencombs）。
　　We’reveryimportantpersonsnowin`258。’JuliaandIcomeinforagreatdealofreflectedglory。It’squiteasocialstraintobelivinginthesamehousewithapresident。
　　Bonnenuit，cherDaddy。
　　Acceptezmezcompliments，Tresrespectueux，jesuis，VotreJudy12thNovemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，WebeattheFreshmenatbasketballyesterday。Ofcoursewe’repleased——
　　butoh，ifwecouldonlybeatthejuniors！I’dbewillingtobeblackandbluealloverandstayinbedaweekinawitch-hazelcompress。
　　SalliehasinvitedmetospendtheChristmasvacationwithher。
　　ShelivesinWorcester，Massachusetts。Wasn’titniceofher？
　　Ishalllovetogo。I’veneverbeeninaprivatefamilyinmylife，exceptatLockWillow，andtheSemplesweregrown-upandoldanddon’tcount。ButtheMcBrideshaveahousefulofchildren（anywaytwoorthree）andamotherandfatherandgrandmother，andanAngoracat。
　　It’saperfectlycompletefamily！Packingyourtrunkandgoingawayismorefunthanstayingbehind。Iamterriblyexcitedattheprospect。
　　Seventhhour——Imustruntorehearsal。I’mtobeintheThanksgivingtheatricals。Aprinceinatowerwithavelvettunicandyellowcurls。Isn’tthatalark？
　　Yours，J。A。
　　SaturdayDoyouwanttoknowwhatIlooklike？Here’saphotographofallthreethatLeonoraFentontook。
　　ThelightonewhoislaughingisSallie，andthetallonewithhernoseintheairisJulia，andthelittleonewiththehairblowingacrossherfaceisJudy——sheisreallymorebeautifulthanthat，butthesunwasinhereyes。
　　`STONEGATE’，WORCESTER，MASS。，31stDecemberDearDaddy-Long-Legs，ImeanttowritetoyoubeforeandthankyouforyourChristmascheque，butlifeintheMcBridehouseholdisveryabsorbing，andIdon’tseemabletofindtwoconsecutiveminutestospendatadesk。
　　Iboughtanewgown——onethatIdidn’tneed，butjustwanted。
　　MyChristmaspresentthisyearisfromDaddy-Long-Legs;myfamilyjustsentlove。
　　I’vebeenhavingthemostbeautifulvacationvisitingSallie。
　　Shelivesinabigold-fashionedbrickhousewithwhitetrimmingssetbackfromthestreet——exactlythekindofhousethatIusedtolookatsocuriouslywhenIwasintheJohnGrierHome，andwonderwhatitcouldbelikeinside。Ineverexpectedtoseewithmyowneyes——
　　buthereIam！Everythingissocomfortableandrestfulandhomelike;
　　Iwalkfromroomtoroomanddrinkinthefurnishings。
　　Itisthemostperfecthouseforchildrentobebroughtupin;
　　withshadowynooksforhideandseek，andopenfireplacesforpop-corn，andanattictorompinonrainydaysandslipperybanisterswithacomfortableflatknobatthebottom，andagreatbigsunnykitchen，andanice，fat，sunnycookwhohaslivedinthefamilythirteenyearsandalwayssavesoutapieceofdoughforthechildrentobake。
　　Justthesightofsuchahousemakesyouwanttobeachildalloveragain。
　　Andasforfamilies！Ineverdreamedtheycouldbesonice。
　　Salliehasafatherandmotherandgrandmother，andthesweetestthree-year-oldbabysisterallovercurls，andamedium-sizedbrotherwhoalwaysforgetstowipehisfeet，andabig，good-lookingbrothernamedJimmie，whoisajunioratPrinceton。
　　Wehavethejolliesttimesatthetable——everybodylaughsandjokesandtalksatonce，andwedon’thavetosaygracebeforehand。
　　It’sareliefnothavingtothankSomebodyforeverymouthfulyoueat。
　　（IdaresayI’mblasphemous;butyou’dbe，too，ifyou’dofferedasmuchobligatorythanksasIhave。）
　　Suchalotofthingswe’vedone——Ican’tbegintotellyouaboutthem。
　　Mr。McBrideownsafactoryandChristmasevehehadatreefortheemployees’children。Itwasinthelongpacking-roomwhichwasdecoratedwithevergreensandholly。JimmieMcBridewasdressedasSantaClausandSallieandIhelpedhimdistributethepresents。
　　Dearme，Daddy，butitwasafunnysensation！IfeltasbenevolentasaTrusteeoftheJohnGrierhome。Ikissedonesweet，stickylittleboy——butIdon’tthinkIpattedanyofthemonthehead！
　　AndtwodaysafterChristmas，theygaveadanceattheirownhouseforME。
　　ItwasthefirstreallytrueballIeverattended——collegedoesn’tcountwherewedancewithgirls。Ihadanewwhiteeveninggown（yourChristmaspresent——manythanks）andlongwhiteglovesandwhitesatinslippers。Theonlydrawbacktomyperfect，utter，absolutehappinesswasthefactthatMrs。Lippettcouldn’tseemeleadingthecotillionwithJimmieMcBride。
　　Tellheraboutit，please，thenexttimeyouvisittheJ。G。H。
　　Yoursever，JudyAbbottPS。Wouldyoubeterriblydispleased，Daddy，ifIdidn’tturnouttobeaGreatAuthorafterall，butjustaPlainGirl？
　　6。30，SaturdayDearDaddy，Westartedtowalktotowntoday，butmercy！howitpoured。
　　Ilikewintertobewinterwithsnowinsteadofrain。
　　Julia’sdesirableunclecalledagainthisafternoon——andbroughtafive-poundboxofchocolates。Thereareadvantages，yousee，aboutroomingwithJulia。
　　Ourinnocentprattleappearedtoamusehimandhewaitedforalatertraininordertotaketeainthestudy。Wehadanawfullotoftroublegettingpermission。It’shardenoughentertainingfathersandgrandfathers，butunclesareastepworse;andasforbrothersandcousins，theyarenexttoimpossible。Juliahadtoswearthathewasherunclebeforeanotarypublicandthenhavethecountyclerk’scertificateattached。（Don’tIknowalotoflaw？）
　　AndeventhenIdoubtifwecouldhavehadourteaiftheDeanhadchancedtoseehowyoungishandgood-lookingUncleJervisis。
　　Anyway，wehadit，withbrownbreadSwisscheesesandwiches。
　　Hehelpedmakethemandthenatefour。ItoldhimthatIhadspentlastsummeratLockWillow，andwehadabeautifulgossipytimeabouttheSemples，andthehorsesandcowsandchickens。
　　Allthehorsesthatheusedtoknowaredead，exceptGrover，whowasababycoltatthetimeofhislastvisit——andpoorGrovenowissooldhecanjustlimpaboutthepasture。
　　Heaskediftheystillkeptdoughnutsinayellowcrockwithablueplateoveritonthebottomshelfofthepantry——andtheydo！
　　Hewantedtoknowiftherewasstillawoodchuck’sholeunderthepileofrocksinthenightpasture——andthereis！Amasaicaughtabig，fat，greyonetherethissummer，thetwenty-fifthgreat-grandsonoftheoneMasterJerviscaughtwhenhewasalittleboy。
　　Icalledhim`MasterJervie’tohisface，buthedidn’tappeartobeinsulted。Juliasaysshehasneverseenhimsoamiable;
　　he’susuallyprettyunapproachable。ButJuliahasn’tabitoftact;
　　andmen，Ifind，requireagreatdeal。Theypurrifyourubthemtherightwayandspitifyoudon’t。（Thatisn’taveryelegantmetaphor。
　　Imeanitfiguratively。）
　　We’rereadingMarieBashkirtseff’sjournal。Isn’titamazing？
　　Listentothis：`LastnightIwasseizedbyafitofdespairthatfoundutteranceinmoans，andthatfinallydrovemetothrowthedining-roomclockintothesea。’
　　ItmakesmealmosthopeI’mnotagenius;theymustbeverywearingtohaveabout——andawfullydestructivetothefurniture。
　　Mercy！howitkeepsPouring。Weshallhavetoswimtochapeltonight。
　　Yoursever，Judy20thJan。
　　DearDaddy-Long-Legs，Didyoueverhaveasweetbabygirlwhowasstolenfromthecradleininfancy？
　　MaybeIamshe！Ifwewereinanovel，thatwouldbethedenouement，wouldn’tit？
　　It’sreallyawfullyqueernottoknowwhatoneis——sortofexcitingandromantic。Therearesuchalotofpossibilities。
　　MaybeI’mnotAmerican;lotsofpeoplearen’t。ImaybestraightdescendedfromtheancientRomans，orImaybeaViking’sdaughter，orImaybethechildofaRussianexileandbelongbyrightsinaSiberianprison，ormaybeI’maGipsy——IthinkperhapsIam。
　　IhaveaveryWANDERINGspirit，thoughIhaven’tasyethadmuchchancetodevelopit。
　　DoyouknowaboutthatonescandalousblotinmycareerthetimeIranawayfromtheasylumbecausetheypunishedmeforstealingcookies？
　　It’sdowninthebooksfreeforanyTrusteetoread。Butreally，Daddy，whatcouldyouexpect？Whenyouputahungrylittlenine-yeargirlinthepantryscouringknives，withthecookiejaratherelbow，andgooffandleaveheralone;andthensuddenlypopinagain，wouldn’tyouexpecttofindherabitcrumby？Andthenwhenyoujerkherbytheelbowandboxherears，andmakeherleavethetablewhenthepuddingcomes，andtellalltheotherchildrenthatit’sbecauseshe’sathief，wouldn’tyouexpecthertorunaway？
　　Ionlyranfourmiles。Theycaughtmeandbroughtmeback;
　　andeverydayforaweekIwastied，likeanaughtypuppy，toastakeinthebackyardwhiletheotherchildrenwereoutatrecess。
　　Oh，dear！There’sthechapelbell，andafterchapelIhaveacommitteemeeting。I’msorrybecauseImeanttowriteyouaveryentertainingletterthistime。
　　AufwiedersehenCherDaddy，Paxtibi！
　　JudyPS。There’sonethingI’mperfectlysureofI’mnotaChinaman。
　　4thFebruaryDearDaddy-Long-Legs，JimmieMcBridehassentmeaPrincetonbannerasbigasoneendoftheroom;Iamverygratefultohimforrememberingme，butI
　　don’tknowwhatonearthtodowithit。SallieandJuliawon’tletmehangitup;ourroomthisyearisfurnishedinred，andyoucanimaginewhataneffectwe’dhaveifIaddedorangeandblack。
　　Butit’ssuchnice，warm，thickfelt，Ihatetowasteit。
　　Woulditbeveryimpropertohaveitmadeintoabathrobe？
　　Myoldoneshrankwhenitwaswashed。
　　I’veentirelyomittedoflatetellingyouwhatIamlearning，butthoughyoumightnotimagineitfrommyletters，mytimeisexclusivelyoccupiedwithstudy。It’saverybewilderingmattertogeteducatedinfivebranchesatonce。
　　`Thetestoftruescholarship，’saysChemistryProfessor，`isapainstakingpassionfordetail。’
　　`Becarefulnottokeepyoureyesgluedtodetail，’saysHistoryProfessor。`Standfarenoughawaytogetaperspectiveofthewhole。’
　　Youcanseewithwhatnicetywehavetotrimoursailsbetweenchemistryandhistory。Ilikethehistoricalmethodbest。
　　IfIsaythatWilliamtheConquerorcameoverin1492，andColumbusdiscoveredAmericain1100or1066orwheneveritwas，that’sameredetailthattheProfessoroverlooks。Itgivesafeelingofsecurityandrestfulnesstothehistoryrecitation，thatisentirelylackinginchemistry。
　　Sixth-hourbell——Imustgotothelaboratoryandlookintoalittlematterofacidsandsaltsandalkalis。I’veburnedaholeasbigasaplateinthefrontofmychemistryapron，withhydrochloricacid。
　　Ifthetheoryworked，Ioughttobeabletoneutralizethatholewithgoodstrongammonia，oughtn’tI？
　　Examinationsnextweek，butwho’safraid？
　　Yoursever，Judy5thMarchDearDaddy-Long-Legs，ThereisaMarchwindblowing，andtheskyisfilledwithheavy，blackmovingclouds。Thecrowsinthepinetreesaremakingsuchaclamour！It’sanintoxicating，exhilarating，CALLINGnoise。
　　Youwanttocloseyourbooksandbeoffoverthehillstoracewiththewind。
　　WehadapaperchaselastSaturdayoverfivemilesofsquashy’crosscountry。Thefox（composedofthreegirlsandabushelorsoofconfetti）startedhalfanhourbeforethetwenty-sevenhunters。
　　Iwasoneofthetwenty-seven;eightdroppedbythewayside;
　　weendednineteen。Thetrailledoverahill，throughacornfield，andintoaswampwherewehadtoleaplightlyfromhummocktohummock。
　　ofcoursehalfofuswentinankledeep。Wekeptlosingthetrail，andwewastedtwenty-fiveminutesoverthatswamp。Thenupahillthroughsomewoodsandinatabarnwindow！Thebarndoorswerealllockedandthewindowwasuphighandprettysmall。Idon’tcallthatfair，doyou？
　　Butwedidn’tgothrough;wecircumnavigatedthebarnandpickedupthetrailwhereitissuedbywayofalowshedroofontothetopofafence。Thefoxthoughthehadusthere，butwefooledhim。
　　Thenstraightawayovertwomilesofrollingmeadow，andawfullyhardtofollow，fortheconfettiwasgettingsparse。Theruleisthatitmustbeatthemostsixfeetapart，buttheywerethelongestsixfeetIeversaw。Finally，aftertwohoursofsteadytrotting，wetrackedMonsieurFoxintothekitchenofCrystalSpring（that’safarmwherethegirlsgoinbobsleighsandhaywagonsforchickenandwafflesuppers）andwefoundthethreefoxesplacidlyeatingmilkandhoneyandbiscuits。Theyhadn’tthoughtwewouldgetthatfar;
　　theywereexpectingustostickinthebarnwindow。
　　Bothsidesinsistthattheywon。Ithinkwedid，don’tyou？
　　Becausewecaughtthembeforetheygotbacktothecampus。
　　Anyway，allnineteenofussettledlikelocustsoverthefurnitureandclamouredforhoney。Therewasn’tenoughtogoround，butMrs。
　　CrystalSpring（that’sourpetnameforher;she’sbyrightsaJohnson）
　　broughtupajarofstrawberryjamandacanofmaplesyrup——
　　justmadelastweek——andthreeloavesofbrownbread。
　　Wedidn’tgetbacktocollegetillhalf-pastsix——halfanhourlatefordinner——andwewentstraightinwithoutdressing，andwithperfectlyunimpairedappetites！Thenweallcuteveningchapel，thestateofourbootsbeingenoughofanexcuse。
　　Inevertoldyouaboutexaminations。Ipassedeverythingwiththeutmostease——Iknowthesecretnow，andamnevergoingtofailagain。
　　Ishan’tbeabletograduatewithhonoursthough，becauseofthatbeastlyLatinproseandgeometryFreshmanyear。ButIdon’tcare。
　　Wot’sthehoddssolongasyou’re’appy？（That’saquotation。
　　I’vebeenreadingtheEnglishclassics。）
　　Speakingofclassics，haveyoueverreadHamlet？Ifyouhaven’t，doitrightoff。It’sPERFECTLYCORKING。I’vebeenhearingaboutShakespeareallmylife，butIhadnoideahereallywrotesowell;
　　Ialwayssuspectedhimofgoinglargelyonhisreputation。
　　IhaveabeautifulplaythatIinventedalongtimeagowhenIfirstlearnedtoread。IputmyselftosleepeverynightbypretendingI’mtheperson（themostimportantperson）inthebookI’mreadingatthemoment。
　　AtpresentI’mOphelia——andsuchasensibleOphelia！IkeepHamletamusedallthetime，andpethimandscoldhimandmakehimwrapuphisthroatwhenhehasacold。I’veentirelycuredhimofbeingmelancholy。TheKingandQueenarebothdead——anaccidentatsea;nofuneralnecessary——soHamletandIarerulinginDenmarkwithoutanybother。Wehavethekingdomworkingbeautifully。
　　Hetakescareofthegoverning，andIlookafterthecharities。
　　Ihavejustfoundedsomefirst-classorphanasylums。IfyouoranyoftheotherTrusteeswouldliketovisitthem，Ishallbepleasedtoshowyouthrough。Ithinkyoumightfindagreatmanyhelpfulsuggestions。
　　Iremain，sir，Yoursmostgraciously，OPHELIA，QueenofDenmark。
　　24thMarch，maybethe25thDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Idon’tbelieveIcanbegoingtoHeaven——Iamgettingsuchalotofgoodthingshere;itwouldn’tbefairtogetthemhereaftertoo。
　　Listentowhathashappened。
　　JerushaAbbotthaswontheshort-storycontest（atwenty-fivedollarprize）thattheMonthlyholdseveryyear。Andshe’saSophomore！
　　ThecontestantsaremostlySeniors。WhenIsawmynameposted，Icouldn’tquitebelieveitwastrue。MaybeIamgoingtobeanauthorafterall。IwishMrs。Lippetthadn’tgivenmesuchasillyname——
　　itsoundslikeanauthor-ess，doesn’tit？
　　AlsoIhavebeenchosenforthespringdramatics——AsYouLikeItoutofdoors。IamgoingtobeCelia，owncousintoRosalind。
　　Andlastly：JuliaandSallieandIaregoingtoNewYorknextFridaytodosomespringshoppingandstayallnightandgotothetheatrethenextdaywith`MasterJervie。’Heinvitedus。Juliaisgoingtostayathomewithherfamily，butSallieandIaregoingtostopattheMarthaWashingtonHotel。Didyoueverhearofanythingsoexciting？I’veneverbeeninahotelinmylife，norinatheatre;
　　exceptoncewhentheCatholicChurchhadafestivalandinvitedtheorphans，butthatwasn’tarealplayanditdoesn’tcount。
　　Andwhatdoyouthinkwe’regoingtosee？Hamlet。Thinkofthat！
　　WestudieditforfourweeksinShakespeareclassandIknowitbyheart。
　　IamsoexcitedoveralltheseprospectsthatIcanscarcelysleep。
　　Goodbye，Daddy。
　　Thisisaveryentertainingworld。
　　Yoursever，JudyPS。I’vejustlookedatthecalendar。It’sthe28th。
　　Anotherpostscript。
　　Isawastreetcarconductortodaywithonebrowneyeandoneblue。
　　Wouldn’themakeanicevillainforadetectivestory？
　　7thAprilDearDaddy-Long-Legs，Mercy！Isn’tNewYorkbig？Worcesterisnothingtoit。Doyoumeantotellmethatyouactuallyliveinallthatconfusion？
　　Idon’tbelievethatIshallrecoverformonthsfromthebewilderingeffectoftwodaysofit。Ican’tbegintotellyoualltheamazingthingsI’veseen;Isupposeyouknow，though，sinceyoulivethereyourself。
　　Butaren’tthestreetsentertaining？Andthepeople？Andtheshops？
　　Ineversawsuchlovelythingsasthereareinthewindows。
　　Itmakesyouwanttodevoteyourlifetowearingclothes。
　　SallieandJuliaandIwentshoppingtogetherSaturdaymorning。
　　JuliawentintotheverymostgorgeousplaceIeversaw，whiteandgoldwallsandbluecarpetsandbluesilkcurtainsandgiltchairs。
　　Aperfectlybeautifulladywithyellowhairandalongblacksilktrailinggowncametomeetuswithawelcomingsmile。Ithoughtwewerepayingasocialcall，andstartedtoshakehands，butitseemswewereonlybuyinghats——atleastJuliawas。Shesatdowninfrontofamirrorandtriedonadozen，eachlovelierthanthelast，andboughtthetwoloveliestofall。
　　Ican’timagineanyjoyinlifegreaterthansittingdowninfrontofamirrorandbuyinganyhatyouchoosewithouthavingfirsttoconsidertheprice！There’snodoubtaboutit，Daddy;NewYorkwouldrapidlyunderminethisfinestoicalcharacterwhichtheJohnGrierHomesopatientlybuiltup。
　　Andafterwe’dfinishedourshopping，wemetMasterJervieatSherry’s。Isupposeyou’vebeeninSherry’s？Picturethat，thenpicturethedining-roomoftheJohnGrierHomewithitsoilcloth-coveredtables，andwhitecrockerythatyouCAN’Tbreak，andwooden-handledknivesandforks;andfancythewayIfelt！
　　Iatemyfishwiththewrongfork，butthewaiterverykindlygavemeanothersothatnobodynoticed。
　　Andafterluncheonwewenttothetheatre——itwasdazzling，marvellous，unbelievable——Idreamaboutiteverynight。
　　Isn’tShakespearewonderful？
　　Hamletissomuchbetteronthestagethanwhenweanalyzeitinclass;
　　Iappreciateditbefore，butnow，clearme！
　　Ithink，ifyoudon’tmind，thatI’dratherbeanactressthanawriter。Wouldn’tyoulikemetoleavecollegeandgointoadramaticschool？AndthenI’llsendyouaboxforallmyperformances，andsmileatyouacrossthefootlights。Onlyweararedroseinyourbuttonhole，please，soI’llsurelysmileattherightman。
　　ItwouldbeanawfullyembarrassingmistakeifIpickedoutthewrongone。
　　WecamebackSaturdaynightandhadourdinnerinthetrain，atlittletableswithpinklampsandnegrowaiters。Ineverheardofmealsbeingservedintrainsbefore，andIinadvertentlysaidso。
　　`Whereonearthwereyoubroughtup？’saidJuliatome。
　　`Inavillage，’saidImeekly，toJulia。
　　`Butdidn’tyouevertravel？’saidshetome。
　　`NottillIcametocollege，andthenitwasonlyahundredandsixtymilesandwedidn’teat，’saidItoher。
　　She’sgettingquiteinterestedinme，becauseIsaysuchfunnythings。
　　Itryhardnotto，buttheydopopoutwhenI’msurprised——
　　andI’msurprisedmostofthetime。It’sadizzyingexperience，Daddy，topasseighteenyearsintheJohnGrierHome，andthensuddenlytobeplungedintotheWORLD。
　　ButI’mgettingacclimated。Idon’tmakesuchawfulmistakesasIdid;
　　andIdon’tfeeluncomfortableanymorewiththeothergirls。Iusedtosquirmwheneverpeoplelookedatme。Ifeltasthoughtheysawrightthroughmyshamnewclothestothecheckedginghamsunderneath。
　　ButI’mnotlettingtheginghamsbothermeanymore。Sufficientuntoyesterdayistheevilthereof。
　　Iforgottotellyouaboutourflowers。MasterJerviegaveuseachabigbunchofvioletsandlilies-of-the-valley。Wasn’tthatsweetofhim？Ineverusedtocaremuchformen——judgingbyTrustees——
　　butI’mchangingmymind。
　　Elevenpages——thisisaletter！Havecourage。I’mgoingtostop。
　　Yoursalways，Judy10thAprilDearMr。Rich-Man，Here’syourchequeforfiftydollars。Thankyouverymuch，butIdonotfeelthatIcankeepit。MyallowanceissufficienttoaffordallofthehatsthatIneed。IamsorrythatIwroteallthatsillystuffaboutthemillineryshop;it’sjustthatI
　　hadneverseenanythinglikeitbefore。
　　However，Iwasn’tbegging！AndIwouldrathernotacceptanymorecharitythanIhaveto。
　　Sincerelyyours，JerushaAbbott11thAprilDearestDaddy，WillyoupleaseforgivemefortheletterIwroteyouyesterday？
　　AfterIposteditIwassorry，andtriedtogetitback，butthatbeastlymailclerkwouldn’tgiveitbacktome。
　　It’sthemiddleofthenightnow;I’vebeenawakeforhoursthinkingwhataWormIam——whataThousand-leggedWorm——
　　andthat’stheworstIcansay！I’veclosedthedoorverysoftlyintothestudysoasnottowakeJuliaandSallie，andamsittingupinbedwritingtoyouonpapertornoutofmyhistorynote-book。
　　IjustwantedtotellyouthatIamsorryIwassoimpoliteaboutyourcheque。Iknowyoumeantitkindly，andIthinkyou’reanolddeartotakesomuchtroubleforsuchasillythingasahat。
　　Ioughttohavereturneditverymuchmoregraciously。
　　Butinanycase，Ihadtoreturnit。It’sdifferentwithmethanwithothergirls。Theycantakethingsnaturallyfrompeople。
　　Theyhavefathersandbrothersandauntsanduncles;butIcan’tbeonanysuchrelationswithanyone。Iliketopretendthatyoubelongtome，justtoplaywiththeidea，butofcourseIknowyoudon’t。I’malone，really——withmybacktothewallfightingtheworld——
　　andIgetsortofgaspywhenIthinkaboutit。Iputitoutofmymind，andkeeponpretending;butdon’tyousee，Daddy？Ican’tacceptanymoremoneythanIhaveto，becausesomedayIshallbewantingtopayitback，andevenasgreatanauthorasIintendtobewon’tbeabletofaceaPERFECTLYTREMENDOUSdebt。
　　I’dloveprettyhatsandthings，butImustn’tmortgagethefuturetopayforthem。
　　You’llforgiveme，won’tyou，forbeingsorude？IhaveanawfulhabitofwritingimpulsivelywhenIfirstthinkthings，andthenpostingtheletterbeyondrecall。ButifIsometimesseemthoughtlessandungrateful，Inevermeanit。InmyheartIthankyoualwaysforthelifeandfreedomandindependencethatyouhavegivenme。
　　Mychildhoodwasjustalong，sullenstretchofrevolt，andnowIamsohappyeverymomentofthedaythatIcan’tbelieveit’strue。
　　Ifeellikeamade-upheroineinastory-book。
　　It’saquarterpasttwo。I’mgoingtotiptoeouttopostthisoffnow。You’llreceiveitinthenextmailaftertheother;
　　soyouwon’thaveaverylongtimetothinkbadofme。
　　Goodnight，Daddy，Iloveyoualways，Judy4thMayDearDaddy-Long-Legs，FieldDaylastSaturday。Itwasaveryspectacularoccasion。
　　Firstwehadaparadeofalltheclasses，witheverybodydressedinwhitelinen，theSeniorscarryingblueandgoldJapaneseumbrellas，andthejuniorswhiteandyellowbanners。Ourclasshadcrimsonballoons——
　　veryfetching，especiallyastheywerealwaysgettinglooseandfloatingoff——andtheFreshmenworegreentissue-paperhatswithlongstreamers。Alsowehadabandinblueuniformshiredfromtown。Alsoaboutadozenfunnypeople，likedownsinacircus，tokeepthespectatorsentertainedbetweenevents。
　　Juliawasdressedasafatcountrymanwithalinendusterandwhiskersandbaggyumbrella。PatsyMoriarty（Patricireally。
　　Didyoueverhearsuchaname？Mrs。Lippettcouldn’thavedonebetter）
　　whoistallandthinwasJulia’swifeinaabsurdgreenbonnetoveroneear。Wavesoflaughterfollowedthemthewholelengthofthecourse。Juliaplayedthepartextremelywell。IneverdreamedthataPendletoncoulddisplaysomuchcomedyspirit——
　　beggingMasterJervie’pardon;Idon’tconsiderhimatruePendletonthough，anmorethanIconsideryouatrueTrustee。
　　SallieandIweren’tintheparadebecausewewereenteredfortheevents。Andwhatdoyouthink？Webothwon！Atleastinsomething。Wetriedfortherunningbroadjumpandlost;
　　butSalliewonthepole-vaulting（sevenfeetthreeinches）
　　andIwonthefifty-yardsprint（eightseconds）。
　　Iwasprettypantingattheend，butitwasgreatfun，withthewholeclasswavingballoonsandcheeringandyelling：
　　What’sthematterwithJudyAbbott？
　　She’sallright。
　　Who’sallright？
　　JudyAb-bott！
　　That，Daddy，istruefame。Thentrottingbacktothedressingtentandbeingrubbeddownwithalcoholandhavingalemontosuck。
　　Youseewe’reveryprofessional。It’safinethingtowinaneventforyourclass，becausetheclassthatwinsthemostgetstheathleticcupfortheyear。TheSeniorswonitthisyear，withseveneventstotheircredit。Theathleticassociationgaveadinnerinthegymnasiumtoallofthewinners。Wehadfriedsoft-shellcrabs，andchocolateice-creammouldedintheshapeofbasketballs。
　　IsatuphalfoflastnightreadingJaneEyre。Areyouoldenough，Daddy，toremembersixtyyearsago？And，ifso，didpeopletalkthatway？
　　ThehaughtyLadyBlanchesaystothefootman，`Stopyourchattering，knave，anddomybidding。’Mr。Rochestertalksaboutthemetalwelkinwhenhemeansthesky;andasforthemadwomanwholaughslikeahyenaandsetsfiretobedcurtainsandtearsupweddingveilsandBITES——it’smelodramaofthepurest，butjustthesame，youreadandreadandread。Ican’tseehowanygirlcouldhavewrittensuchabook，especiallyanygirlwhowasbroughtupinachurchyard。