duties
of life, and do not neglect the rich opportunities which I am proud to
be able to give you. The Wetherbees have----' Oh well, the rest of it is
just Kankakee news," said Katherine, folding the letter and putting it
back in her desk. "But isn't that first bit lovely? Why, I racked my
brain till it ached, positively ached, thinking of interesting things to
say in that letter, and now because I didn't mention that I'd worked
three solid hours on my German every day that week and stood in line at
the library for an hour to get hold of Bryce's American Commonwealth, I
receive this pathetic appeal to my better self."

"How poetic you're getting," laughed Betty. "Do you know it's awfully
funny, but I got a letter something like that too. Only mine was from
Nan, and it just said she hoped I was remembering to avoid low grades
and conditions, as they were a great bother. She said she wanted me to
have a good time, but as there would be even more to do when I got on
the campus, I ought not to fall into the habit of neglecting my work
this year."

"Mine was from Aunt Susan," chimed in Rachel. "She said she didn't see
when I could do any studying except late at night, and she hoped I
wasn't being so foolish as to undermine my health and ruin my complexion
for the sake of a few girlish pleasures. Isn't that nice--girlish
pleasures? She put in a five dollar bill, though I couldn't see why she
should, considering her sentiments."

Roberta put the cap on to her fountain pen and propped it carefully
against an adjacent pillow. "I've just answered mine," she said, sorting
the sheets in her lap with a satisfied smile.

"Did you get one, too? What did you say?" demanded Betty.

"The whole truth," replied Roberta languidly. "It took eight pages and I
hope he'll enjoy it."

"I say," cried Katherine excitedly. "That's a great idea. Let's try it."

"And read them to one another afterward," added Rachel. "They might be
more entertaining than your lit. paper."

"May I borrow some paper?" asked Betty. "I'm hoping Helen will finish
to-night if I let her alone."

Roberta helped herself to a book from the shelves and an apple from the
table, and the rest settled themselves to their epistolary labors.
Except for the scratching of Betty's pen, and an occasional exclamation
of pleasure or perplexity from one of the scribes, the room was
perfectly still. Betty had just asked for an envelope and Katherine was
numbering her pages when M