May 27
Dear Daddy Longlegs,
The campus looks especially beautiful right now.
The trees and the grass are green.
The flowers are blooming.
And all the girls are wearing their spring dresses.
Everyone is happy because vacation is coming.
(For the moment we're pretending that exams aren't coming too.)
I wish I could show you the campus.
I'm quite good at giving tours.
In fact I just gave one to a man.
And not just any man.
A quite charming man—Julia's uncle, Mr. Jervis Pendleton.
He's her father's younger brother, but she doesn't know him very well.
It seems he glanced at her as a baby and decided he didn't like her.
He hasn't paid much attention to her since.
But yesterday Uncle Jervis was in town on business.
So he decided to come here and visit his niece.
When he arrived, Julia was in a panic.
She came running into my room.
"Judy, you have to help me!
My uncle just showed up!
He's downstairs waiting for me.
But I have a class in ten minutes.
And so does Sallie.
Could you walk him around the campus until I get back?"
"Um . . ." I really didn't want to do this because I don't care much for Pendletons.
"Oh, please," Julia begged me.
"You only have to do it this one time.
How hard can it be to talk to a man for an hour?"
"All right." I sighed.
"I'll try to keep him amused, but hurry back."
We went downstairs, and there he was, sitting very properly on a sofa.
His hat and gloves were beside him.
So was his walking stick.
He grabbed them and popped up as soon as Julia and I arrived.
"This is Judy Abbott," Julia said, introducing us.
"She'll show you around campus until my class is over."
I didn't know what to talk about, but Uncle Jervis turned out to be the nicest man.
He's a real human being—not like a Pendleton at all.
We had a lovely time, and now I'm longing for an uncle.
Would you mind pretending you're my uncle instead of my grandmother?
We walked all over campus, from the dorms to the athletic grounds.
I pointed out the library, the classrooms, and the new infirmary.
"This a wonderful tour, Miss Abbott.
But I'm wondering if we might have some tea.
How about going to the College Inn?"
"Oh, I don't know." I was worried about Julia.
"Shouldn't we ask Julia to join us?
And maybe Sallie too?
I'm sure they're finished with class by now."
I glanced at my watch.
He shook his head.
"I don't like my niece to drink too much tea.
It makes her nervous."
"Oh, I see. Well, then I guess it would be all right."
We walked to the inn, which is right off campus.
I realize I don't know you very well, Daddy Longlegs.
But something about Uncle Jervis reminded me of a younger version of you.
It's probably because he's so tall.
At the inn we sat at a lovely table on the balcony.
I thought we would just have tea, but Uncle Jervis was hungry.
"Oh, no, Miss Abbott. We must have something to eat."
So we had muffins and marmalade, plus ice cream and cake!
I was so full; I knew I wouldn't have room for supper.
Uncle Jervis makes you feel like you've known him forever.
We had the best time together.
"There weren't many people at the inn today," he said as we left.
I laughed. "It's the end of the month.
The girls have spent most of their allowances."
"Well, I'm glad we went.
Now what time is it?"
It was his turn to look at his watch.
"I have to run for my train!"
"But you must see Julia!" I said.
We hurried back to the dorm, and he briefly spoke to Julia.
After he left, she was furious with me for taking him to tea.
"But he insisted!" I said.
"You should have said no.
He was my guest, not yours.
I wanted to take him to tea."
I felt quite bad about it until this morning.
That's when three boxes of chocolate arrived for Julia, Sallie, and me.
Julia has forgiven her uncle.
Meanwhile I can't believe that a man sent me candy.
I feel like a regular girl instead of an orphan.
And another nice thing just happened.
I received a letter from your secretary.
He said you want me to spend the summer on a farm.
He'll send the details soon.
Hooray! I won't have to spend the summer washing dishes at the orphanage. Thank you!
I wish you would come for tea someday.
I'm sure I'd like you.
Your niece,
Judy