[Sep. 24, 1913]


Dear Mother - 
        Your very welcome letter arrived safe and sound. Referring to corsets, I can’t for the life of me remember when I bought them, but if you’ll look in my desk you’ll find the slip returning the ones to A. and S. and I bought the looser one the day before I returned the whole serape. I think, though I’m not certain I remember now, it was the early morning of that first day Miss Haley worked for us - she came on a Monday - the 8th , wasn’t it? I think it was a $5.00 one,
but I’m not sure of that either.
        Please settle a controversy between Ted Corey and me. She declares that Florence Arnold told her that Ruth Wayland had announced her engagement to a Washington man named Burgess. I said I didn’t believe it for Ruth had been here at the house and not said “pickles” about it, and that no one in the neighborhood had mentioned it to me. Ted is rather annoyed because I doubt it - so please ask Josephine Van Kirk or Isabel Longbottom whether or not it’s true.
My dishes are as yet unlocated, but my beloved coat came Monday morning. I’m terribly awfully busy, trying to get the mandolin and the glee clubs whipped into shape to sing at Christians’ Reception Saturday afternoon. Had a grand game of hockey (just practice) against the Juniors today - much fun. Stupid old choir-rehearsal tonight and I’ve been working like a bow-wow ever since.
        I’m sure I’m going to like all my courses this year - even Ethics. The
office never said a word about my changing my electives - and even gave me the sections I wanted. Will you look in the big drawer to the desk in my room, and find that long topic I did on the “History and Construction of the Piano”. Dr. Griggs wants to use it in the History of Music course.
        Did I write you that I had a very nice letter! From Miss Chittendon in response to a little old picture-postal I sent her
from Chatham? I’m thrilled to pieces! - and she started it “My dear Muriel” - much to my astonishment and surprise.
        I had some wonderful red roses sent me - just for love - yesterday, and I sported them to chapel tonight. Oh, life here is gay and beautiful, except when I’m sitting with chattering teeth and a thumping heart in French or German class. However, I like them both - have dandy instructors - and
am getting along better than I had expected at all.
        Do keep me informed as to how the kitchen-staff progresses. Was Lizi very sick? has she gone? how are you fixed. etc. etc.
        The Glad - Lyall business has worked out just as you predicted. Now give me a remedy for absolutely unapproachable indifference and rocky icebergitude on the part of Dorothy Parker. And I’ll be equally relieved. Do come up this week-end
if you can - next is Senior Parlor opening, grand occasion! (love to have you for that if possible) and then follow along in rapid succession the parties for Freshman and First Hall Play.
        There! I declared I was going to keep training and go to bed at a respectable hour every night this year - and here I am not doing it at all. Guess I’ll reform right this minute
        Love to all - 
                Muriel.
P.S. 
Tell the youngsters I appreciated their tain-package and am going to heap coals of fire on their heads sometime in the near future - in other words, when I get time. I must needs arise at 6 a.m. and find out what contribution Greek music and early Grecian instruments made to the modern world of music as we know it.
        Goodnight
M.
POUGHKEEPSIE
SEP 24 
11 AM
1913
N.Y.


Mrs. B.O. Tilden
291 Westminster Road
Brooklyn, N.Y.