Details
Dec. 26. 1894.
My dear sister, -
How I wished you were here yesterday afternoon when your box came. I would have hugged the breath out of you. I was sitting alone in my room when the expressman knocked at my door and handed in the box. You ought to have seen me cut the string in a dozen places, though the girls have always declared that if I ever had a box, I would sit down and untie every knot. Everything in the box was in beautiful order,
Mamma's picture frame is pretty enough, I am sure. How she did fool me about returning the other photograph! I thought she was making fine distinctions. I am so glad to have her picture in a suitable frame.
The tea-cloth is handsome. I am very proud of it. The only trouble is that I am afraid it is too nice to use, but I shall try to take good care of it. The rest of the girls will take pride in it, too, for it will be a great addition to our parlor. I am going to put it on the tea-table just before the girls get back-
I was so pleased that Mrs. Benbow remembered me- I was just wondering the day before, what I should do when when Jan. 1 came, and my little calendar would be [...] of no use any more. My new one is prettier than my old one, and I like the verses on it.
I think perhaps Alice Page's gift surprised me the most, for I had no idea she could paint or print like that. I think it is a beautiful little souvenir, and such an original idea- I think ever so much of it.
The shoe bag is just what I wanted- only more spacious than I had thought of, so it will hold soiled handkerchiefs, or something like that, besides all my shoes. Denim is just the thing for that, isn't it? It will not show dirt and is easily brushed clean.
Clarence's letter and the fountain pen came ^in yesterday morning's mail. It is the best kind of a fountain pen, and with good care ought to last me a long time. I am glad the pen is finer. Of course I will send Lou my old one, and am glad to have her have the use of it. It is a pretty good pen, if the cap is cracked.
Bessie Metlin sent me Ruskin's "Sesame and Lilies," a very pretty edition. Ray, Mary and Belle [crossed out: sent] ^gave me a bunch of violets, had them sent out from the florist's on Christmas morn
We spent the day very quietly - in the evening ice-cream was served in the parlors downstairs- Very few of the Faculty are left now. Mrs. Kendrick has not been here since college closed, and she is not coming back till it opens- Christmas vacation
son Hunt and a nephew sat with the Seniors at dinner last night- a rare privilege.
I don't know what to do about New York now. We got word that all the rooms at the Margaret Louisa Home are engaged except for just the last part of vacation. So of course we cannot hear the Messiah, for that is given only this week. Ellen and I do not know whether we want to go at the very end of vacation and when we cannot hear the Messiah, more than we may want to go some other time. At least we will not be able to decide till we hear from the Margaret Louisa Home again.
Tell Lou I got her catalogue but first I had to send two cents to Cleveland for it. It seems that it takes for a catalogue. Papa's letter with the money in it came all right this noon, so I
It is not very cold weather now, so that there has been no ice yet, strong enough for skating. I was in hopes that there would be plenty of skating.
I saw Dr. Thwing's book, "The Coliege Woman" in a girl's room the other day, and borrowed it, bat I have read only a little of it. He seems to do a great deal of writing for books and magazines.
Give my love to the neighbors, and the girls. I must write now to Mrs. Benbow and Bessie Mitlin and Alice Page.
Lovingly your sister Adelaide. [Claflin]