STONE GATE , , , December 27 .
: letter is here .
have read it twice , and with amazement .
Do understand that has given , for a Christmas present , the making over of into a model institution , and that have chosen to disburse the money ?
-- , , !
, have lost senses , or have become addicted to the use of opium , and is this the raving of two fevered imaginations ?
am exactly as well fitted to take care of as to become .
And offer as bait ?
, -- likewise , -- see through !
know exactly the kind of family conference that has been held about the fireside .
" Is n't it a pity that has n't amounted to more since left college ?
ought to be doing something useful instead of frittering time away in the petty social life of .
Also [ speaks ] is getting interested in , too good-looking and fascinating and erratic ; never did like .
must deflect mind with some uplifting and absorbing occupation until the danger is past .
Ha !
have it !
will put in charge of . "
Oh , can hear as clearly as if were !
On the occasion of last visit in and had a very solemn conversation in regard to ( 1 ) marriage , ( 2 ) the low ideals of , ( 3 ) the frivolous , useless lives that lead .
Please tell that took words deeply to heart , and that ever since return to have been spending one afternoon a week reading poetry with .
life is not so purposeless as it appears .
Also let assure that is not dangerously imminent ; and that , anyway , is , even though views on tariff and single tax and trade-unionism do not exactly coincide with 's .
desire to dedicate life to the public good is very sweet , but should look at it from 's point of view .
Have no pity for ?
have , if have n't , and respectfully decline the position which offer .
shall be charmed , however , to accept invitation to visit in , though must acknowledge that am not very excited over the list of gaieties have planned .
Please substitute for and a few theaters and operas and a dinner or so .
have two new evening gowns and a blue and gold coat with a white fur collar .
dash to pack them ; so telegraph fast if do n't wish to see for alone , but only as .
Yours as ever , Entirely frivolous , And intending to remain so , .
P.S. invitation is especially seasonable .
A charming young politician named is to be in next week .
am sure will like when know better .
P.S. 2 .
taking afternoon walk as would like to see : ask again , have both gone mad ?
, February 15 .
: arrived in a snowstorm at eleven last night , Singapore and and .
It does not appear to be customary for to bring with and Chinese chows .
and , who had waited up to receive , were thrown into an awful flutter .
had never seen the like of Sing , and thought that was introducing a wolf into the fold .
reassured as to his dogginess , and , after studying his black tongue , ventured a witticism .
wanted to know if fed him on huckleberry pie .
It was difficult to find accommodations for .
Poor Sing was dragged off whimpering to , and given a piece of burlap .
did not fare much better .
There was not an extra bed in , barring a five-foot crib in .
, as know , approaches six .
tucked in , and spent the night folded up like a jackknife .
has limped about today , looking like a decrepit letter S , openly deploring this latest escapade on the part of , and longing for the time when shall come to senses , and return to the parental fireside in .
know that is going to spoil all chances of being popular with .
Having is the silliest idea that was ever conceived , but know .
fought objections step by step , but made last stand on .
If brought along to see that ate nourishing food and did n't stay up all night , might come -- temporarily ; but if refused to bring -- oh , dear , am not sure that was ever again to cross the threshold of !
So here are , and neither of very welcome , am afraid .
woke by a gong at six this morning , and lay for a time listening to the racket that made in over head .
It appears that do not get baths , -- just face-washes , -- but make as much splashing as twenty-five puppies in .
rose and dressed and explored a bit .
were wise in not having come to look over before engaged .
While were at breakfast , it seemed a happy time to introduce ; so sought .
Horror piled on horror -- those bare drab walls and oil-cloth-covered tables with tin cups and plates and wooden benches , and , by way of decoration , that one illuminated text , " The Will Provide " !
must possess a grim sense of humor .
Really , , never knew there was any spot in so entirely ugly ; and when saw those rows and rows of , the whole dismal business suddenly struck with such a shock that almost collapsed .
It seemed like an unachievable goal for to bring sunshine to when what need is apiece .
plunged into this thing lightly enough , partly because were too persuasive , and mostly , honestly think , because laughed so uproariously at the idea of being able to manage .
Between all hypnotized .
And then of course , after began reading up on the subject and visiting , got excited over , and wanted to put own ideas into practice .
But now 'm aghast at finding ; it 's such a stupendous undertaking .
The future health and happiness of lie in hands , to say nothing of and .
The thing 's geometrically progressive .
It 's awful .
Who am to undertake this job ?
Look , oh , look for !
says dinner 's ready .
Having eaten two of institution meals , the thought of another does n't excite .
LATER .
had mutton hash and spinach , with tapioca pudding for dessert .
What had hate to consider .
started to tell about first official speech at breakfast this morning .
It dealt with all the wonderful new changes that are to come to through the generosity of , , and of , .
Please do n't object to featuring so prominently .
did it for political reasons .
As was present , thought it a good opportunity to emphasize the fact that all of these upsetting , innovations come straight from headquarters , and not out of excitable brain .
stopped eating and stared .
The conspicuous color of hair and the frivolous tilt of nose are evidently new attributes in .
also showed plainly that consider too young and too inexperienced to be set in authority .
have n't seen yet , but assure that will have to be VERY wonderful to make up for , especially .
and clashed early on the subject of fresh air ; but intend to get rid of this dreadful institution smell , if freeze into a little ice statue .
This being a sunny , sparkling , snowy afternoon , ordered that dungeon of a playroom closed and out of doors .
" 's chasin ' out , " heard grumbling as struggled into a two-years-too-small overcoat .
simply stood about , all humped in clothes , waiting patiently to be allowed to come back in .
No running or shouting or coasting or snowballs .
Think of it !
do n't know how to play .
STILL LATER .
have already begun the congenial task of spending money .
bought eleven hot-water bottles this afternoon ( every one that contained ) likewise some woolen blankets and padded quilts .
And the windows are wide open in .
are going to enjoy the perfectly new sensation of being able to breathe at night .
There are a million things want to grumble about , but it 's half-past ten , and says MUST go to bed .
Yours in command , .
P.S. Before turning in , tiptoed through to make sure that all was right , and what do think found ?
softly closing the windows in !
Just as soon as can find a suitable position for in , am going to discharge .