August 3.
Dear Judy:
Back at the John Grier, reshouldering the burdens of the coming
generation. What should meet my eyes upon entering these grounds but
John Cobden, of pancake turner memory, wearing a badge upon his sleeve.
I turned it to me and read "S. P. C. A." in letters of gold! The doctor,
during my absence, has formed a local branch of the Cruelty to Animals,
and made Johnnie its president.
I hear that yesterday he stopped the workmen on the foundation for the
new farm cottage and scolded them severely for whipping their horses up
the incline! None of all this strikes any one but me as funny.
There's a lot of news, but with you due in four days, why bother to
write? Just one delicious bit I am saving for the end.
So hold your breath. You are going to receive a thrill on page 4. You
should hear Sadie Kate squeal! Jane is cutting her hair.
Instead of wearing it in two tight braids like this--our little colleen
will in the future look like this--
"Them pigtails got on my nerves," says Jane.
You can see how much more stylish and becoming the present coiffure is.
I think somebody will be wanting to adopt her. Only Sadie Kate is such
an independent, manly little creature; she is eminently fitted by nature
to shift for herself. I must save adopting parents for the helpless
ones.
You should see our new clothes! I can't wait for this assemblage
of rosebuds to burst upon you. And you should have seen those blue
ginghamed eyes brighten when the new frocks were actually given
out--three for each girl, all different colors, and all perfectly
private personal property, with the owner's indelible name inside the
collar. Mrs. Lippett's lazy system of having each child draw from the
wash a promiscuous dress each week, was an insult to feminine nature.
Sadie Kate is squealing like a baby pig. I must go to see if Jane has by
mistake clipped off an ear.
Jane hasn't. Sadie's excellent ears are still intact. She is just
squealing on principle; the way one does in a dentist's chair, under the
belief that it is going to hurt the next instant.
I really can't think of anything else to write except my news,--so here
it is,--and I hope you'll like it.