tay here. If something doesn't happen soon, I shall
throw myself into the silo pit out of sheer desperation.

Mercy! but it's hot. All the grass is burnt up and the brooks are dry
and the roads are dusty. It hasn't rained for weeks and weeks.

This letter sounds as though I had hydrophobia, but I haven't. I just
want some family.

Goodbye, my dearest Daddy.

I wish I knew you.
Judy

LOCK WILLOW,
19th September

Dear Daddy,

Something has happened and I need advice. I need it from you, and from
nobody else in the world. Wouldn't it be possible for me to see you?
It's so much easier to talk than to write; and I'm afraid your
secretary might open the letter.
Judy

PS. I'm very unhappy.

LOCK WILLOW,
3rd October

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

Your note written in your own hand--and a pretty wobbly hand!--came
this morning. I am so sorry that you have been ill; I wouldn't have
bothered you with my affairs if I had known. Yes, I will tell you the
trouble, but it's sort of complicated to write, and VERY PRIVATE.
Please don't keep this letter, but burn it.

Before I begin--here's a cheque for one thousand dollars. It seems
funny, doesn't it, for me to be sending a cheque to you? Where do you
think I got it?

I've sold my story, Daddy. It's going to be published serially in
seven parts, and then in a book! You might think I'd be wild with joy,
but I'm not. I'm entirely apathetic. Of course I'm glad to begin
paying you--I owe you over two thousand more. It's coming in
instalments. Now don't be horrid, please, about taking it, because it
makes me happy to return it. I owe you a great deal more than the mere
money, and the rest I will continue to pay all my life in gratitude and
affection.

And now, Daddy, about the other thing; please give me your most worldly
advice, whether you think I'll like it or not.

You know that I've always had a very special feeling towards you; you
sort of represented my whole family; but you won't mind, will you, if I
tell you that I have a very much more special feeling for another man?
You can probably guess without much trouble who he is. I suspect that
my letters have been very