daddy long legs

Chapter 15

Dearest Daddy-Long-Legs:
I have bad, bad news for you.But I won't start by saying this, I want to cheer you up first.

Jerusha Albert had begun to be a writer.A poem called "My Attic" was published in the second issue of "Monthly" and posted on the front page.This is a great honor for a freshman.When I came out of church last night, my English teacher stopped me. She said that my poem was very beautiful, but the syllables in line 6 were too complicated.I'll send you a copy, so you can have a good read.

Let me think of any other delights - oh, there it is!I am secretly learning to skate, and I can already slide around without restraint.I also learned how to rope down the gym roof and jump over a 3-foot-6 railing—hopefully jumping 4 feet soon.

The bishop of Alabama had a wonderful homily this morning.His title was "Don't Demand a Man, Lest You Be Demanded".It means to forgive others for their mistakes, not to blame them.I really hope you can hear this section.

The afternoon sun was so bright it was blinding, icicles hung from the pine branches, and the ground was covered with snow.Except me, because my heart is so heavy with grief.

Now, I'm going to tell you the bad news - be brave, Judy!You must speak up.

Are you "sure" that you're in a good mood right now?I failed geometry and Latin and I'm doing my best to prepare for the make-up exam next month.I'm sorry if you're offended, but I don't really care because I read so many extracurricular books.I've read 17 novels and a ton of poetry, including must-reads like Vanity Fair, Richard Fevreau, Alice in Wonderland, and Emerson's Essays, Rock Hart's "Life of Scott," Gipon's first volume of "The Roman Empire," and half of "Life of Cellini"—what a fun he is!He used to hang out early in the morning, kill a guy or two and then go back for breakfast.

So you see, uncle, I've learned more than memorized Latin.Will you forgive me if I promise that I will never fail an exam in the future?

your sad judy
Sunday

(End of this chapter)