November 9
Dear Daddy Longlegs,
Julia Pendleton has invited me to visit her family for the Christmas holidays.
Can you imagine Jerusha Abbott of the John Grier Home dining with the rich people of New York?
I don't know why Julia wants me to visit.
But she seems quite attached to me lately.
To tell you the truth, I'd rather go to Sallie's house again.
But Julia asked me first, so I must go to New York.
I'm awed at the idea of meeting so many Pendletons at once.
I'll also need lots of new clothes.
So if you want me to stay at college, I'll happily do that.
Yours always,
Judy
December 7
Dear Daddy Longlegs,
Thank you for permission to visit Julia.
I'm taking your silence to mean that I may go to New York for Christmas.
We've been in a social whirl here at college.
Last weekend was the Founder's Dance.
This was our first one because only juniors and seniors are allowed to go.
I invited Jimmy McBride.
Sallie invited his roommate at Princeton—the one who visited their summer house.
Bill is an awfully nice guy.
Julia invited a man from New York.
He was boring, but from one of the best families, of course.
Our guests arrived on Friday afternoon for tea.
Then they dashed to their hotel for dinner.
At half past seven, they returned for the dance.
Julia, Sallie, and I all had new dresses.
"That's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen!" I said to Julia as she took off her coat.
"Thank you. It came from Paris."
Julia twirled so we could admire every detail of her cream satin dress.
"I bet it cost a fortune!" Sallie whispered.
"Your dress is gorgeous too!" I said, admiring the pale blue fabric.
"We all look beautiful tonight!" Sallie took our hands, and we walked into the dance together.
Jimmy and his roommate were already there.
"Thank you for the beautiful flowers," I said to Jimmy.
I was carrying a small bouquet of red roses that he'd sent.
"Sallie told me what color to get," he admitted.
"They look very nice with your pink dress.
Now, tell me why the letters of the alphabet are hanging around the room."
"We wanted every girl to have a chance to dance," Sallie said.
"So we gave each one a list of partners.
After every dance you men should go and stand under the letter of your last name."
"That way your next partner can find you," I explained.
"So we're assigned a partner for every dance?" Jimmy gave Bill a look of dismay.
"No, not every dance," Sallie said.
"That's good!" Jimmy smiled at me.
Well, Jimmy McBride was a difficult guest!
Instead of waiting patiently with the other Ms, he wandered away to the Rs, or some other letter.
And then he sulked because he had to dance with so many girls.
"I only got to dance with you three times!" he complained at the end of the evening.
The next morning we had a concert.
I had written a funny song, and everyone seemed to like it.
After the concert, Jimmy and Bill found Sallie and me in the crowded room.
"How was the hotel?" Sallie asked.
"It was so full, we slept in rows on the pool tables," Bill joked.
"The next time I'm invited here, I'm bringing a tent," Jimmy said.
"And I'll pitch it right in the middle of campus."
"You wouldn't dare!" I said.
He laughed. "Just watch me."
"But we had a wonderful weekend, despite the crowded hotel," Bill assured us.
"The two of you must come to Princeton for our spring dance," Jimmy said.
Sallie and I looked at each other.
"Oh, yes!" we said together.
I hope you don't object to that, Daddy Longlegs.
It really sounds like so much fun.
Can I tell you something that I've recently discovered?
Do you promise not to think I'm vain?
I'm pretty.
Yours,
Judy
December 20
Dear Daddy Longlegs,
I only have a moment to write.
I have to attend two classes, pack a suitcase, and catch the four o'clock train to New York.
But I couldn't leave without thanking you for my Christmas presents.
I love the necklace and the scarf and the gloves and handkerchiefs and books and purse.
Most of all, I love you!
But you shouldn't spoil me like this!
I now suspect that you're the kind trustee who donated the Christmas tree every year to the orphanage.
Were you also the trustee who made sure we had ice cream every Sunday?
That trustee was anonymous, but I recognize your kind touch.
You deserve to be happy for all the good things you do.
Merry Christmas,
Judy