Thursday, January 14, 2021

DADDY LONG LEGS letters part 3

This covers pages 94-126 in my 1940 Grosset and Dunlap edition. 

LOCK WILLOW, July 12th. - Judy gives DLL the lowdown on Lock Willow.

  • Jervie: he's the family's ice cream.
  • Oh look, there's some Lesbian content!
  • Miss Jerusha Abbott, future great writer.

Sunday - This letter is full of farm news, religion and Master Jervie.

  • Thank heavens she doesn't inherit God!
  • Semples - better than their own God. 
  • Jervie was meant for something better. 
  • Drunk cow scandal rocks Lock Willow.

September 15th. - Judy comments on her weight gain. 

  • Remember when weight gain signified health?

September 25 - Back at school - Judy talks of roommates, politics and academics - particularly French.

  • Orphan rooming with a Pendleton? Democracy!
  • French convent? Foundling asylum? The same...

Vocabulary alert! 

  • Inimical means unfriendly or hostile - also intending to cause harm, yikes!

October 17th. - Those fun college debates are discussed, as well as the outcome of the election. 

  • Could one swim in lemon jelly?
  • Sally was elected! "McBride Forever!" Huzzah!

November 12th. - Judy tells her Christmas plans and sends a photo. 

  • Her first home visit's in WORCESTER??
  • The sun was in her eyes. 

"STONE GATE," WORCESTER, MASS., December 31st.  - A newsy letter about Christmas presents and the visit with the McBrides. 

  • A nice, fat, sunny cook? Anna??
  • She felt benevolent as a trustee. 
  • White gloved orphan leads the cotillion.
6.30, Saturday. - Judy describes Master Jervie's visit to...well...you know. It gets a little meta.
  • "Julia's desirable uncle" called with chocolates. 
  • Uncle Jervis - so youngish and good-looking!
  • Julia says he's never this amiable...
  • Don't throw dining-room clock into sea.
Jan. 20th.  - Judy muses on the possibility of her origins and tells a sad asylum story.
  • Oh, are we expecting a denouement?
  • Cookie stealing is a victimless crime.
  • Tied like a naughty puppy. Damn.
February 4th. - Judy mostly discusses science and history, with a wee Jimmie McBride mention. 
  • These professors keep contradicting one another!
March 5th. - The paper chase, finals and Shakespeare are all discussed. 
  • Paper chase ends at Chrystal Spring
  • What's the secret to not flunking??
  • Judy learns Shakespeare earned his reputation.
  • Judy would make a great Ophelia!

---------------------------

I had to dig deep for these questions and none of them has lit my world on fire, but I feel like there have to be questions and I would find the answers interesting!

Judy is surprised that Master Jervie was a redhead. Was being a redhead a good or a bad thing when you were growing up? [I always thought it was WAY cooler to be a redhead, but apparently now it is something you get teased for.] 

Okay, you're an orphaned child. Would you prefer a french convent - pretty good food, nice-ish nuns, but no boys and lots of religion -  or an orphan asylum - terrible food, indifferent care-givers, but less structured (except on Blue Wednesday) and a change of meeting Daddy Long Legs? [I think it's a bout a 50/50 split for me.]

Did you know octagon houses existed? In a related story - what is the strangest, goofiest or silliest thing you ever argued about or discussed at length? [I did NOT know they were a thing and when I read this every other time, I assumed it was a particular octagon building on campus and not an actual trend. I went to religious school and we used to try to irritate the teachers by asking if God could create a rock so big that God couldn't lift it. Never got a straight answer on that one, but a lot of dirty looks.]



Have you ever been to Worcester? [Yes! It's right nearby and we usually have the NEWBETSY Valentine's Tea at Judith Sumner's house, which has become the McBride house in my head. Try to get yourself invited there sometime - it's lovely!]

Have you ever taken part in a Paper Chase? How was it?  [Nope, but I did watch the series on television!]

What is your favorite Shakespeare play and/or Shakespearean character? [A Midsummer Night's Dream is my favorite play, but I love the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet the best.]


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