He says it was the nicest afternoon he has had in years, and, poor
deluded man of science, I actually believe it's true. His olive green
home is so uncomfortable and dreary and uninspiring that I don't wonder
he drowns his troubles in books. Just as soon as I can find a nice
comfortable house mother to put in charge, I am going to plot for the
dismissal of Maggie McGurk, though I foresee that she will be even
harder than Sterry to pry from her moorings.
Please don't draw the conclusion that I am becoming unduly interested
in our bad-tempered doctor, for I'm not. It's just that he leads such a
comfortless life that I sometimes long to pat him on the head and tell
him to cheer up; the world's full of sunshine, and some of it's for
him--just as I long to comfort my hundred and seven orphans; so much and
no more.
I am sure that I had some real news to tell you, but it has completely
gone out of my head. The rush of fresh air has made me sleepy. It's
half-past nine, and I bid you good night.
S.
P.S. Gordon Hallock has evaporated into thin air. Not a word for three
weeks; no candy or stuffed animals or tokimentoes of any description.
What on earth do you suppose has become of that attentive young man?
July 13.
Dearest Judy:
Hark to the glad tidings!
This being the thirty-first day of Punch's month, I telephoned to his
two patronesses, as nominated in the bond, to arrange for his return. I
was met by an indignant refusal. Give up their sweet little volcano
just as they are getting it trained not to belch forth fire? They are
outraged that I can make such an ungrateful request. Punch has accepted
their invitation to spend the summer.
The dressmaking is still going on. You should hear the machines whir
and the tongues clatter in the sewing room. Our most cowed, apathetic,
spiritless little orphan cheers up and takes an interest in life when
she hears that she is to possess three perfectly private dresses of her
own, and each a different color, chosen by herself. And you should see
how it encourages their sewing ability. Even the little ten-year-olds
are bursting into seamstresses. I wish I could devise an equally
effective way to make them take an interest in cooking. But our
kitchen is extremely uneducative. You know how hampering it is to one's
enthusiasm to have to prepare a bushel of potatoes at once.
I think you've heard me mention the fact that I should like to divide up
my kiddies into ten nice little families, with a nice comfortable house
mother over each? If we just had ten picturesque cottages to put them
in, with flowers in the front yard and rabbits and kittens and
puppies and chickens in the back, we should be a perfectly presentable
institution, and wouldn't be ashamed to have these charity experts come
visiting us.