January 11
Dear Daddy Longlegs,
I meant to write to you from New York City, but I was so busy!
I had an interesting time at Julia's house.
But I'm glad I don't belong to such a family.
I'd really rather be an orphan!
I could hardly breathe in that house.
All the furniture was carved and upholstered and gorgeous.
But there was so much of it!
All the people were beautifully dressed and rich.
But I never heard one word of real conversation from the time we arrived until we left.
I don't think an idea ever entered the front door!
As for Julia's mother, all she ever talked about were jewels and dressmakers and social engagements.
So different from Mrs. McBride!
If I ever have a family, I'm going to use Mrs. McBride as my model.
I'll never let any of my children grow up like the Pendletons!
Maybe it's rude to criticize people you've been visiting.
If it is, please excuse me.
Don't tell anyone what I said about Julia's family.
This is all just between you and me.
I only saw Jervie once; he came for tea one afternoon.
I didn't have a chance to talk to him alone because Julia and her family were there.
"Hello, Miss Abbott," he said very formally.
"How nice to see you again, Mr. Pendleton," I replied.
Then we sat across the room from each other like we'd never met before!
It was so disappointing after our nice time last summer.
I'm not sure why he bothered to come at all.
The conversation was dreadful!
All about people I didn't know and places I'd never been.
"Jervis, have you seen any of the Thompson family this season?" Mrs. Pendleton asked.
"No."
"The Thompsons have such a lovely home on Fifth Avenue," she said to me.
"At the last ball I attended, Mrs. Thompson wore an exquisite gown.
It was trimmed with the most delicate lace I've ever seen.
And her new diamond necklace—how it sparkled!"
"It must have been very pretty," I mumbled.
I really didn't know what else to say.
I'm not used to talking about expensive jewelry.
As I sipped my tea, I looked at Jervie over the rim of my fine china cup.
I tried to catch his eye, but he was staring at the floor.
He looked miserable.
I don't think he likes his relatives very much.
And I know they don't like him!
"Such a strange young man!" Mrs. Pendleton said after Jervie left.
"It's hard to believe he's one of us.
I know he's my husband's brother, so I shouldn't say this but . . .
I really think there's something wrong with him."
I didn't know what to say to that!
But my silence didn't matter because Mrs. Pendleton went on talking.
"I don't know where he picked up some of his odd ideas.
He honestly thinks that everyone in the world should have the same amount of money.
Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?"
"Well . . ." I started, but she talked over me.
"He throws away his money.
He's always trying to help the poor.
As if they could be helped!"
Well, that got a reaction from me!
"What do you think he should spend his money on?" I said loudly.
"Sensible things, of course!" Mrs. Pendleton replied.
"Yachts, automobiles, polo ponies!
The kinds of things that all young men spend their money on."
I didn't think it was her business how Jervie spent his money.
But I smiled because I knew of one thing he'd bought—candy.
He'd sent boxes of chocolate to Julia and me for Christmas.
In New York I saw so many theaters and beautiful houses.
My head was a confused jumble of marble floors and fancy furniture.
I'm so glad to be back at college in my own room.
I like being a student!
The books and classes keep me alive.
If my mind gets tired, I can exercise in the gym or outdoors.
And I have lots of nice friends.
Some evenings we do nothing but talk, talk, talk.
We go to bed thinking we've solved all the world's problems.
And we do like to laugh at each other's jokes.
I think I've discovered the secret of happiness.
It's appreciating the little things in life, like talking with friends.
I'm going to enjoy every second of my life from now on!
Yours ever,
Judy
February 11
Dear Daddy Longlegs,
Don't be insulted that this is so short.
It's not a letter.
It's just a note to say I'll write a letter when exams are over.
I have to do well to keep my scholarship!
Yours, studying hard,
Judy