jelly-cake
and pie and pickles and cheese and tea for supper--and a great deal of
conversation. I have never been so entertaining in my life; everything
I say appears to be funny. I suppose it is, because I've never been in
the country before, and my questions are backed by an all-inclusive
ignorance.

The room marked with a cross is not where the murder was committed, but
the one that I occupy. It's big and square and empty, with adorable
old-fashioned furniture and windows that have to be propped up on
sticks and green shades trimmed with gold that fall down if you touch
them. And a big square mahogany table--I'm going to spend the summer
with my elbows spread out on it, writing a novel.

Oh, Daddy, I'm so excited! I can't wait till daylight to explore.
It's 8.30 now, and I am about to blow out my candle and try to go to
sleep. We rise at five. Did you ever know such fun? I can't believe
this is really Judy. You and the Good Lord give me more than I
deserve. I must be a very, very, VERY good person to pay. I'm going
to be. You'll see.

Good night,
Judy

PS. You should hear the frogs sing and the little pigs squeal and you
should see the new moon! I saw it over my right shoulder.

LOCK WILLOW,
12th July

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

How did your secretary come to know about Lock Willow? (That isn't a
rhetorical question. I am awfully curious to know.) For listen to
this: Mr. Jervis Pendleton used to own this farm, but now he has given
it to Mrs. Semple who was his old nurse. Did you ever hear of such a
funny coincidence? She still calls him 'Master Jervie' and talks about
what a sweet little boy he used to be. She has one of his baby curls
put away in a box, and it is red--or at least reddish!

Since she discovered that I know him, I have risen very much in her
opinion. Knowing a member of the Pendleton family is the best
introduction one can have at Lock Willow. And the cream of the whole
family is Master Jervis--I am pleased to say that Julia belongs to an
inferior branch.

The farm gets more and more entertaining. I rode on a hay wagon
yesterday. We have three big pigs and nine little piglets, and you
should see them eat. They are pigs! We've oceans of little baby
chickens and ducks and turkeys and gui