Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
19th August
Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,
My window looks out on the loveliest landscape--ocean-scape,rather--nothing but water and rocks.
The summer goes. I spend the morning with Latin and English andalgebra and my two stupid girls. I don't know how Marion is ever goingto get into college, or stay in after she gets there. And as forFlorence, she is hopeless--but oh! such a little beauty. I don'tsuppose it matters in the least whether they are stupid or not so longas they are pretty? One can't help thinking, though, how theirconversation will bore their husbands, unless they are fortunate enoughto obtain stupid husbands. I suppose that's quite possible; the worldseems to be filled with stupid men; I've met a number this summer.
In the afternoon we take a walk on the cliffs, or swim, if the tide isright. I can swim in salt water with the utmost ease you see myeducation is already being put to use!
A letter comes from Mr. Jervis Pendleton in Paris, rather a shortconcise letter; I'm not quite forgiven yet for refusing to follow hisadvice. However, if he gets back in time, he will see me for a fewdays at Lock Willow before college opens, and if I am very nice andsweet and docile, I shall (I am led to infer) be received into favouragain.
Also a letter from Sallie. She wants me to come to their camp for twoweeks in September. Must I ask your permission, or haven't I yetarrived at the place where I can do as I please? Yes, I am sure Ihave--I'm a Senior, you know. Having worked all summer, I feel liketaking a little healthful recreation; I want to see the Adirondacks; Iwant to see Sallie; I want to see Sallie's brother--he's going to teachme to canoe--and (we come to my chief motive, which is mean) I wantMaster Jervie to arrive at Lock Willow and find me not there.
I MUST show him that he can't dictate to me. No one can dictate to mebut you, Daddy--and you can't always! I'm off for the woods.
Judy
Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,
My window looks out on the loveliest landscape--ocean-scape,rather--nothing but water and rocks.
The summer goes. I spend the morning with Latin and English andalgebra and my two stupid girls. I don't know how Marion is ever goingto get into college, or stay in after she gets there. And as forFlorence, she is hopeless--but oh! such a little beauty. I don'tsuppose it matters in the least whether they are stupid or not so longas they are pretty? One can't help thinking, though, how theirconversation will bore their husbands, unless they are fortunate enoughto obtain stupid husbands. I suppose that's quite possible; the worldseems to be filled with stupid men; I've met a number this summer.
In the afternoon we take a walk on the cliffs, or swim, if the tide isright. I can swim in salt water with the utmost ease you see myeducation is already being put to use!
A letter comes from Mr. Jervis Pendleton in Paris, rather a shortconcise letter; I'm not quite forgiven yet for refusing to follow hisadvice. However, if he gets back in time, he will see me for a fewdays at Lock Willow before college opens, and if I am very nice andsweet and docile, I shall (I am led to infer) be received into favouragain.
Also a letter from Sallie. She wants me to come to their camp for twoweeks in September. Must I ask your permission, or haven't I yetarrived at the place where I can do as I please? Yes, I am sure Ihave--I'm a Senior, you know. Having worked all summer, I feel liketaking a little healthful recreation; I want to see the Adirondacks; Iwant to see Sallie; I want to see Sallie's brother--he's going to teachme to canoe--and (we come to my chief motive, which is mean) I wantMaster Jervie to arrive at Lock Willow and find me not there.
I MUST show him that he can't dictate to me. No one can dictate to mebut you, Daddy--and you can't always! I'm off for the woods.
Judy