Such a lot of things we ’ve done—I can’t begin to tell you about them. Mr. McBride owns a factory, and Christmas eve he had a tree for the employees’ children. It was in the long packing-room which was decorated with evergreens and holly. Jimmie McBride was dressed as Santa Claus, and Sallie and I helped him distribute the presents.
Dear me, Daddy, but it was a funny sensation! I felt as benevolent as a Trustee of the John Grier Home. I kissed one sweet, sticky little boy—but I don’t think I patted any of them on the head!
And two days after Christmas, they gave a dance at their own house for ME.
It was the first really true ball I ever attended—college does n’t count where we dance with girls. I had a new white evening gown (your Christmas present—many thanks) and long white gloves and white satin slippers. The only drawback to my perfect, utter, absolute happiness was the fact that Mrs. Lippett could n’t see me leading the cotillion with Jimmie McBride. Tell her about it, please, the next time you visit the J. G. H.
Yours ever,
Judy Abbott.
P. S. Would you be terribly displeased, Daddy, if I did n’t turn out to be a Great Author after all, but just a Plain Girl?
6.30, Saturday.
Dear Daddy,
We started to walk to town to-day, but mercy! how it poured. I like winter to be winter with snow instead of rain.