ut ineffectual,
middle-aged lady without any chin? The very thought of it wrings a
mother's heart.

Do you imagine that such a woman can carry on this work even
temporarily? No! The manager of an institution like this has got to be
young and husky and energetic and forceful and efficient and red-haired
and sweet-tempered, like me. Of course I've been discontented,--anybody
would be with things in such a mess,--but it's what you socialists call
a holy discontent. And do you think that I am going to abandon all of
the beautiful reforms I have so painstakingly started? No! I am not
to be moved from this spot until you find a superintendent superior to
Sallie McBride.

That does not mean, though, that I am mortgaging myself forever. Just
for the present, until things get on their feet. While the face washing,
airing, reconstructing period lasts, I honestly believe you chose the
right person when you hit upon me. I LOVE to plan improvements and order
people about.

This is an awfully messy letter, but I'm dashing it off in three minutes
in order to catch you before you definitely engage that pleasant,
inefficient middle-aged person without a chin.

Please, kind lady and gentleman, don't do me out of me job! Let me stay
a few months longer. Just gimme a chance to show what I'm good for, and
I promise you won't never regret it.

S. McB.

J. G. H.,

Thursday afternoon.

Dear Judy:

I've composed a poem--a paean of victory.

Robin MacRae Smiled today.

It's the truth! S. McB.

THE JOHN GRIER HOME,

April 13.

Dear Judy:

I am gratified to learn that you were gratified to learn that I am going
to stay. I hadn't realized it, but I am really getting sort of attached
to orphans.

It's an awful disappointment that Jervis has business which will keep
you South so much longer. I am bursting with talk, and it is such a
laborious nuisance having to write everything I want to say.

Of course I am glad that we are to have the building remodeled, and I
think all of your ideas good, but I have a few extra good ones myself.
It will be nice to have the new gymnasium and sleeping-porches, but,
oh, my soul does long for cottages! The more I look into the internal
workings of an orphan asylum, the more I realize that the only type
of asylum that can compete with a private family is one on the cottage
system. So long as the family is the unit of society, children should be
hardened early to family life.

The probl