ing
and looking silly every time his name is
mentioned. Carol Hastings came here to dinner last
night, and when Beverly Randolph came over to our
table to speak to us, she was so silly I was
really ashamed of her. I spoke to Elsie about it
afterwards, and she said Carol was a goose, but I
think she is a little bit silly herself sometimes.
I wrote Mother all about Beverly Randolph, and how
much I liked him. I would give anything to have a
brother just like him. He adores his mother, and I
don't wonder, for she is lovely. He says she is so
jolly, and is always interested in everything he
is interested in; even the college games. His
father died when he was little, and I suppose this
is one reason why he and his mother are so much to
each other. There is an uncle, who is a doctor,
but he only comes to dine with them sometimes, and
lives somewhere else. Mrs. Randolph has one of the
sweetest faces I have ever seen--yours and Mothers
excepted--and she looks very young to be the
mother of a big boy of eighteen. She dresses in
black, and looks rather sad sometimes, but I
suppose that is when she is thinking of her
husband.

"Elsie is very clever, and Aunt Julia admires her
tremendously. She says Elsie has always been the
brightest girl in her classes and that she recites
Shakespeare quite wonderfully. I haven't heard her
recite yet, but she plays the piano very well, and
takes music lessons twice a week. She speaks
French, too, and is beginning to study German. Of
course I am not nearly as far advanced as she is,
but Miss Lothrop says I am not backward for my
age, and that makes me very happy. I was so proud
when she asked me if I had a governess at home,
and I told her Father and Mother had taught me
everything I knew. I don't think Elsie liked my
saying that; she says I mustn't talk about our
being poor, but I am sure I can't see why she
should object. However, I have promised to try not
to say anything she doesn't like; they have all
been so good to me that I do want to please them
if I can.