"But I must tell you about our journey back. Mr. Page came all the
way with us, and was ever so nice. Clarence rode down in the carriage
to the depot. He gave me a real pretty india-rubber and gold pencil
for a good-by present. I think you and Dorry would like Clarence,
only just at first you might say he was rather rude and cross. I did;
but now I like him ever so much. Cousin Olivia gave Katy a worked
collar and sleeves, and me an embroidered pocket-handkerchief with
clover leaves in the corner. Wasn't it kind? I'm sorry I said in
my last letter that we didn't enjoy our vacation. We didn't much;
but it wasn't exactly Cousin Olivia's fault. She meant we should,
but she didn't know how. Some people don't, you know. And don't
tell any one I said so, will you?
"Rose Red got here in the train before we did. She was so glad when we
came that she cried. It was because she was home-sick waiting four
hours at the Nunnery without us, she said. Rose is such a darling!
She had a splendid vacation, and went to three parties and a picnic.
Isn't it queer? her winter bonnet is black velvet trimmed with pink,
and so is mine. I wanted blue at first, but Cousin Olivia said pink
was more stylish; and now I am glad, because I like to be like Rose.
"Katy and I have got No. 2 this term. It's a good deal pleasanter
than our old room, and the entry-stove is just outside the door, so
we shall keep warm. There is sun, too, only Mrs. Nipson has nailed
thick cotton over all the window except a little place at top. Every
window in the house is just so. You can't think how mad the girls
are about it. The first night we had an indignation meeting, and
passed resolutions, and some of the girls said they wouldn't stay,--
they should write to their fathers to come and take them home. None
of them did, though. It's perfectly forlorn, not being able to look
out. Oh, dear, how I wish it were spring!
"We've got a new dining-room. It's a great deal bigger than the old
one, so now we all eat together, and don't have any first and second
tables. It's ever so much nicer, for I used to get so dreadfully
hungry waiting that I didn't know what to do. One thing is horrid,
though, and that is, that every girl has to make a remark in French
every day at dinner. The remarks are about a subject. Mrs. Nipson
gives out the subjects. To-day the subject was 'Les oiseaux,' and
Rose Red said, 'J'aime beaucoup les oiseaux, et surtout ceux qui
sont rotis,' which made us all laugh. That ridiculous little Bella
Arkwright said, 'J'aime beaucoup les oiseaux qui sing.' She thought
sing was French! Every girl in school began, 'J'aime beaucoup les
oiseaux'! To-morrow the subject is 'Jules Cesar.' I'm sure I don't
know what to say. There isn't a word in Ollendorf about him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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