Read Online Free Book

Daddy Long Legs

Page 22

But he turned out to be a sweet lamb. He's a real human being--not a

Pendleton at all. We had a beautiful time; I've longed for an uncle

ever since. Do you mind pretending you're my uncle? I believe they're

superior to grandmothers.

Mr. Pendleton reminded me a little of you, Daddy, as you were twenty

years ago. You see I know you intimately, even if we haven't ever met!

He's tall and thinnish with a dark face all over lines, and the

funniest underneath smile that never quite comes through but just

wrinkles up the corners of his mouth. And he has a way of making you

feel right off as though you'd known him a long time. He's very

companionable.

We walked all over the campus from the quadrangle to the athletic

grounds; then he said he felt weak and must have some tea. He proposed

that we go to College Inn--it's just off the campus by the pine walk.

I said we ought to go back for Julia and Sallie, but he said he didn't

like to have his nieces drink too much tea; it made them nervous. So

we just ran away and had tea and muffins and marmalade and ice-cream

and cake at a nice little table out on the balcony. The inn was quite

conveniently empty, this being the end of the month and allowances low.

We had the jolliest time! But he had to run for his train the minute

he got back and he barely saw Julia at all. She was furious with me

for taking him off; it seems he's an unusually rich and desirable

uncle. It relieved my mind to find he was rich, for the tea and things

cost sixty cents apiece.

This morning (it's Monday now) three boxes of chocolates came by

express for Julia and Sallie and me. What do you think of that? To be

getting candy from a man!

I begin to feel like a girl instead of a foundling.

I wish you'd come and have tea some day and let me see if I like you.

But wouldn't it be dreadful if I didn't? However, I know I should.

Bien! I make you my compliments.

'Jamais je ne t'oublierai.'

Judy PS. I looked in the glass this morning and found a perfectly new

dimple that I'd never seen before. It's very curious. Where do you

suppose it came from?

9th June

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

Happy day! I've just finished my last examination Physiology. And now: Three months on a farm!

I don't know what kind of a thing a farm is. I've never been on one in

my life. I've never even looked at one (except from the car window),

but I know I'm going to love it, and I'm going to love being FREE.

PrevPage ListNext