Have you everything you need? Let me know otherwise. You know, I always find some way out. A letter came for you from Bab which I enclose. Write often to us, my eldest fledgling. I feel very near you these days in love and thought. The petals are unfolding so fast in your character. I want to watch each one, and you know this, dear. There is always a curious bond between a firstborn and a mother, to the mother specially, for you taught me motherhood, all the dear, first motherlore, my Jean. Some day you will understand what I mean, when you look down into the face of your own. I must stop, for I am getting altogether homesick for you.
Tenderly,
Mother.
Jean sat for a few minutes after reading this, without unfolding the girls’ letters. Mothers were wonderful persons, she thought. Their brooding wings stretched so far over one, and gave forth a love and protectiveness such as nothing else in the world could do.
The next was from Helen, quite like her too. Brief and beautifully penned on her very own violet tinted note paper.
DEAR JEANIE:
I do hope you have met the wonderful Contessa. I can picture her in my mind. You know Father’s picture of Marie Stuart with the pearl cap? Well, I’ve been wondering if she looked like that. I know they wore pearl caps in Italy because Juliet wore one. I’d love a pearl cap. Tell me what Carlota talks about, and what color are her eyes!
School is very uninteresting just now, and it is cold driving over to the car. But I have one teacher I love, Miss Simmons. Jean, she has the face of Priscilla exactly, and she is descended from Miles Standish, really and truly. She told me so, and Kit said if all of his descendants could be bunched together, they would fill a state. You know Kit. Miss Simmons wears a low lace collar with a small cameo pin, and her voice is beautiful. I can’t bear people with loud voices. When I see her in the morning, it just wipes out all the cold drive and everything that’s gone wrong. Well, Kit says it’s time to go to bed. I forgot to tell you, unless Mother has already in her letter, that Mr. McRae is coming from Saskatoon with Honey, and he will stay here. Doris hopes he will bring her a tame bear cub.
Your loving sister,
Helen Beatrice Robbins.