ensive building operations until next summer. Of course I was
disappointed, because it meant that I won't be the center of the
ripping-up, and I do so love to be the center of ripping-ups! But,
anyway, you'll take my advice, even though I'm no longer an official
head? The two building details we did accomplish are very promising. Our
new laundry grows better and better; it has removed from us that steamy
smell so dear to asylums. The farmer's cottage will finally be ready
for occupancy next week. All it now lacks is a coat of paint and some
doorknobs.

But, oh dear! oh dear! another bubble has burst! Mrs Turnfelt, for all
her comfortable figure and sunny smile, hates to have children messing
about. They make her nervous. And as for Turnfelt himself, though
industrious and methodical and an excellent gardener, still, his mental
processes are not quite what I had hoped for. When he first came, I made
him free of the library. He began at the case nearest the door, which
contains thirty-seven volumes of Pansy's works. Finally, after he had
spent four months on Pansy, I suggested a change, and sent him home with
"Huckleberry Finn." But he brought it back in a few days, and shook his
head. He says that after reading Pansy, anything else seems tame. I
am afraid I shall have to look about for some one a little more
up-and-coming. But at least, compared with Sterry, Turnfelt is a
scholard!

And speaking of Sterry, he paid us a social call a few days ago, in
quite a chastened frame of mind. It seems that the "rich city feller"
whose estate he has been managing no longer needs his services; and
Sterry has graciously consented to return to us and let the children
have gardens if they wish. I kindly, but convincingly, declined his
offer.

Friday.

I came back from Pleasantville last night with a heart full of envy.
Please, Mr. President, I want some gray stucco cottages, with Luca
della Robbia figures baked into the front. They have nearly 700 children
there, and all sizable youngsters. Of course that makes a very different
problem from my hundred and seven, ranging from babyhood up. But
I borrowed from their superintendent several very fancy ideas. I'm
dividing my chicks into big and little sisters and brothers, each big
one to have a little one to love and help and fight for. Big sister
Sadie Kate has to see that little sister Gladiola always has her hair
neatly combed and her stockings pulled up and knows her lessons and