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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/9/20
Text: [Addressed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] February 9, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The one nice thing about the washout north of you, Mother, is that I got four letters from you this morning. I gave the maid her Christmas present after I came back, Mother, and the janitor has never been around that I have noticed--besides which, there is no occasion for that. I do not need a check yet. I have over a hundred dollars left, but don't you have to pay the second semester bill? I...
Show more[Addressed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] February 9, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The one nice thing about the washout north of you, Mother, is that I got four letters from you this morning. I gave the maid her Christmas present after I came back, Mother, and the janitor has never been around that I have noticed--besides which, there is no occasion for that. I do not need a check yet. I have over a hundred dollars left, but don't you have to pay the second semester bill? I did not send the books, Pete, because I did not think it safe to send them in a smashed case. I'll send them Wednesday. It will be time enough for the bulfinch to send it with the laundry. I was fully intending to go to town to buy a telescope Saturday when I met Lucy and she volunteered to have her Mother have their store send me one like hers--she has used hers for several years and it has not broken. It will be sent to the house. The ones Luckey's have are not a bit solid. It ought to be there in time for the next laundry. I finally found Miss Bourne at home last night, and she certainly was nice to me. She said that she had not realized that I wanted to change so thatI would not be so rushed up here the end of the week, that certainly it was a shame to have to miss all the college activities up here, etc., that it was not so very important whether or not I take prose, inasmuch as I have a solid foundation anyhow, and I should come in the morning class. She will give me the prose sentences when the other class have them, and if I have time and feel like doing them she will correct them, but I must not let myself do too much work. She said that she could tell from the little she knew of me that "I was inclined to take life rather seriously" anyway. So she was rubbed the right way. I am glad I changed both for the hour and for the fact that I think any additional prose is useless. She said she had hoped that I would continue Latin next year, that I gave a promise of doing very clear-headed and logical work, in advanced prose, for instance. I am not heading for a job as a high school Latin teacher, but I politely told her that I did not see my way clear to it, that there was so much to take, and that I did want to get Greek in. She was nice as it lies in her power to be. I recited with the morning section this morning. They are quite stupid. Miss Kitchel did not appear this morning and after thee minutes from the time of the bell had passes, the class left. Have you and such regulation that you have to wait for five minutes for a prof, four for an assistant prof, and three for an instructor, and then if he she or it does not appear, you get a cut. I am still quite messed up in this system of having no textbooks in solid geometry.Champy discussed marks with us this morning. She informed us that my B was a very, very, high B, in fact almost an A. Bless her fool heart, what good does she thinks it did the class to hear that. She stopped me on my way out of class to tell me how long she had hesitated before giving me a B instead of an A. She said she was about to give me an A when she was told that an A had to mean almost perfect, and then she decided that inasmuch as this was her first year here she had better not give an A, but if she had been giving A's, I certainly would have received one, and she did hope I would get one this semester. Poor fool! I believe in the closed mark system. What did you say, Mother? I spent about an hour and a half last night practicing the tryout parts for "the fellow who blacks the bootlack's boots". That is about how important I will be if I make the part. Helen Reid is trying for the Duke. I do hope she makes it. She had the main part in three plays at Packer last year. I worked for over an hour on Ruth Franklin's stuff last night. I have to finish it up today. I called on Bess yesterday. A Pittsburgh girl, and advisee of hers from last year, Janet Trimball, brought her mother, and we had to suffer over her tea-cups again. This old lady started hopping off on the question of teachers' salaries. She did think that some of the millionaires in Pittsburgh ought to pitch in and help those poor people out. She was very amusing. And then when she started off on what a shame it is that some women are so fat I began to think of your yarns about kidding Mrs. Cowley and I was glad that I had a tea-cup to keep my facial expression busy with. It is much warmer now, but the crust of the snow is still so solid that it holds even my weight without caving in. The paths on the walk are very narrow, and we have to trail to classes single file. Love, [Fannie] Did Harold ever make those pictures for me? There are three girls left in Phyllis' off-campus house. She is not so crazy about it anymore.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Jan. 5.
Text: Jan. 5. Dear Mother, Father, + Pete: - I hope my trunk comes soon, otherwise my letters will be very short and matter-of-fact. The train didn't get in yesterday morning till 9:25. We went up to the St. Regis with Kaufmanns and had a very good breakfast. (I just discovered that the new won't work through the carbon paper). After breakfast we got a time-table, + at 10:25 discovered that the train I should have taken was the 10:10. The next best was the 12:25. Mrs. Kaufmann + Lucy...
Show moreJan. 5. Dear Mother, Father, + Pete: - I hope my trunk comes soon, otherwise my letters will be very short and matter-of-fact. The train didn't get in yesterday morning till 9:25. We went up to the St. Regis with Kaufmanns and had a very good breakfast. (I just discovered that the new won't work through the carbon paper). After breakfast we got a time-table, + at 10:25 discovered that the train I should have taken was the 10:10. The next best was the 12:25. Mrs. Kaufmann + Lucy deposited us at the station at 11:45. The train was a half hour late. Things were rather messed up, but they worked out all right. I straightened up my room, cleaned up, spent an hour before and an hour after dinner on my Ec note-book, and finished it. I went to bed at nine, and are rested today. I was dead yesterday, though. I ate [lunch] with Lucy and spent an hour <before> hashing over vacation. I'm going for a walk now. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-10
Text: January 10, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I mailed an answer to your question yesterday, Mother. I have just about made up my mind to change my election to Heredity, so as to ease up on my course a little and allow for debating. That means I am through at twelve-twenty Fridays, and will have no difficulty in getting to Phila. by dinner-time. In any case, I can get there by nine o'clock anyhow. So go to it, and make the appointment. I surely n[???] that, or something else, but I am...
Show moreJanuary 10, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I mailed an answer to your question yesterday, Mother. I have just about made up my mind to change my election to Heredity, so as to ease up on my course a little and allow for debating. That means I am through at twelve-twenty Fridays, and will have no difficulty in getting to Phila. by dinner-time. In any case, I can get there by nine o'clock anyhow. So go to it, and make the appointment. I surely n[???] that, or something else, but I am not going to go along this way any longer. In view of that and the uncertainty of getting back here on time, I shall let Prom go by this year. I heard an excellent lecture on india last night by Dhan Gopal Mujirki, a graduate of Stanford and much of an Indian patriot. It is just about the best lecture I have heard in college. I was so much interested that in spite of much work to do, i went up to Senior Parlor after the lecture and listedne[sic] to him talk informally for about an hour a quarter. I wish i had time to write about it. I walked to town in the afternoon and attended to various things, among others having my skates sharpened so that they will be ready when the next ice comes. By so doing I missed a lecture on the Washington conference, but I can't get everything in this week. Sunday night I heard an excellent lecture on Jerusalem by another indian, Mr. Prem Chaud Lal, whose title to fame seems to be having guided General Allenby through Jerusalem. Those Sunday evening lectures are under the auspices of the Christian Association. They surely get a miserable attendance--about thirty or forty people. He had excellent illustrations, and told some very interesting stories, also an interesting joke that I have not time to write now. I understand friend Stevie is to speak in the course of the month under the auspices of the C. A. Miss Buck had another stroke on Friday and died Sunday. Miss Wylie certainly has had a trying year of it. i think that explains her crabbiness and peculiarity at times. We have two cuts this week, but I shall have no difficulty putting in the time profitably spent it walking today. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-11 [1921]
Text: January 11, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going to see if I cannot type a letter without any mistakes even though I am going fast. I am getting entirely too careless. That is pretty good--only two mistakes. I am going over to Main to eat with Carolym Baily tonight. I mispelled her name, but that does not count. I suppose I will come back feeling dumb and dull, because she is so wonderful and I will naturally start "Woe is me"ing. I started my history topic...
Show moreJanuary 11, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going to see if I cannot type a letter without any mistakes even though I am going fast. I am getting entirely too careless. That is pretty good--only two mistakes. I am going over to Main to eat with Carolym Baily tonight. I mispelled her name, but that does not count. I suppose I will come back feeling dumb and dull, because she is so wonderful and I will naturally start "Woe is me"ing. I started my history topic yesterday. It is on the Philadelphia convention. It is not pregressing any too rapidly. I have a Spanish conference tomorrow morning. Otherwise there is nothing new, except that I got no mail today. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-12 [1921]
Text: January 12, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing exciting happened yesterday. I finished "The Bride of Lammermoor" and enjoyed it somewhat. Last night a friend of Lucy's from Raymond, Ida Maisel, came over the talked for an hour and a half. She was quite interesting. Miss Peeble's is sick, so we got a cut today. It's too bad that she is sick, but it is nice that we got a cut. Oh, there is something exciting to tell you--Gertrude Allen bobbed her hair! I...
Show moreJanuary 12, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing exciting happened yesterday. I finished "The Bride of Lammermoor" and enjoyed it somewhat. Last night a friend of Lucy's from Raymond, Ida Maisel, came over the talked for an hour and a half. She was quite interesting. Miss Peeble's is sick, so we got a cut today. It's too bad that she is sick, but it is nice that we got a cut. Oh, there is something exciting to tell you--Gertrude Allen bobbed her hair! I have a splitting headache today. I ought to be ahamed to admit it--I suppose it is from too much reading. Miss Smith came to pay me a call last night. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-13
Text: Jan. 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I owe you a real letter today, I think. I am sorry that I was too busy to write a letter for two successive days, but it could not be helped. I worked about ten hours on the Shelley paper, but I think it was really good when I finished it. The class seemed to think so, too. I had to read it today. Miss Wylie did not come all week, we had two cuts, and today we met by ourselves and discussed various papers and Shelley in general. I have just about...
Show moreJan. 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I owe you a real letter today, I think. I am sorry that I was too busy to write a letter for two successive days, but it could not be helped. I worked about ten hours on the Shelley paper, but I think it was really good when I finished it. The class seemed to think so, too. I had to read it today. Miss Wylie did not come all week, we had two cuts, and today we met by ourselves and discussed various papers and Shelley in general. I have just about finished the reading on Psych topic and shall write it over the week-end. Then I won't have a mad rush before exams. I have my hardest three the first three days, and I want to avoid a mad stew. Miss Buck was not my English prof last year, Pete. I had Miss Peebles who is in Europe this year. Miss Buck was my Freshman instructor the first four weeks, before the readjustment shift. I liked her personally, but would have been lost in a Freshman class of hers. She soared in the clouds and was quite an indefinite sort of genius. I prefer concrete thinking for Freshman composition. She really had a great deal of ability as the encolsed clipping will show. We are going to have the ice carnival tomorrow afternoon. I am very glad to hear that Doctor Litchfield agrees with us, Mother. I wish the eleventh of February were here already. I am so sick of this think that it surely is getting "my goat". Do you think you will be East after exams. I have only three days. If you do come, you could come up here for next week. If you don't, I might go down to Aunt Bessie's or to Jeannette, or stay up here and read. i wouldn't mind doing any of the three. I had a letter from Henrietta Butler yesterday. She is engaged to one Earle Bernheimer of K. City. They plan to be married in April, go to Europe for four months. Jane has nothing too favorable to say of him. Did you hear anything about Ruth Gallinger's weedding[sic]? Debate Council voted unanimously yesterday to accept Amherst's challenge for a debate at Amherst on the fifteenth of April. here's where I go to the Dean's office and drop Zo. Giving up debating and having four hours of lab in four separate periods is not worth it. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-13
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Evan showed me a telegram yesterday morning which she had just received from .....Bowers, president of the Harvard Debating Club, challenging us to a Freshman Harvard--Vassar debate for March 7. Dr. Nettleton asked the Freshmen to stay after chapel to vote and there was much laughter. I suppose, of course, that they will do it. I think it would be great, because it would probably mean a regular debate next year. We had a Council meeting yesterday to consider...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: Evan showed me a telegram yesterday morning which she had just received from .....Bowers, president of the Harvard Debating Club, challenging us to a Freshman Harvard--Vassar debate for March 7. Dr. Nettleton asked the Freshmen to stay after chapel to vote and there was much laughter. I suppose, of course, that they will do it. I think it would be great, because it would probably mean a regular debate next year. We had a Council meeting yesterday to consider the challenges for this year, and of Williams, Amherst, and Penn, accepted Williams and Penn. I voted for Amherst instead of Penn, but I was the only one to do so. Penn doesn't thrill me in the least, but they wanted a university instead of a college this time, solet them have it. The Penn debate will be at Penn. I have almost finished writing my English topic, and then comes the boring part of copying it. My heart certainly goes out to those poor souls who don't type! The snow is wonderful--I wish I had time to coast! Love, Fannie January 13, 1923 Sorry I can't come to the meeting of the congregation, Pete!
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-14 [1920]
Text: January 14, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is delightful to save your chapel cuts till the end of the semester and then stay home every night and get a chance to write the daily letter then. I got away from the doctor's office at a little after two today. Dr. B. gave me the punch. I then came back to my room and went over one sixth of the ground we are supposed to review for the Latin exam with Phyllis' roommate. She is very good in class, but she certainly was punk...
Show moreJanuary 14, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is delightful to save your chapel cuts till the end of the semester and then stay home every night and get a chance to write the daily letter then. I got away from the doctor's office at a little after two today. Dr. B. gave me the punch. I then came back to my room and went over one sixth of the ground we are supposed to review for the Latin exam with Phyllis' roommate. She is very good in class, but she certainly was punk in review. I got along very well working with Phyllis for two years, but it must have been unusual. She is the next best in the class to me, if not as good, as far as marks go, but I could not hand her much today. I then had gym. Today was apparatus day. There was not much to do. One of the things I could not get at all, and that was hanging on to rings, turning over, and sticking the legs in the ring. I did manage to twist a summersault around a pole, though. Saturday night is the third Philharmonic concert. I got my ticket, but I am afraid I shall have to miss it. Last week I went to bed right after dinner. The New York day is none too easy. I wonder if I will have Miss Wells next semester. I certainly hope so, but she may get the class in analyt. geometry. Yes Pete, we wre one of the seven hundred institutions of learning, but the New York Times did not consider us worth cracking up along with Yale, Harvard, and Princeton. There were speeches in chapel the night before, but not knowing that chapel was to be more attractice than usual, I used one of my wonderful cuts. I shall go to chapel during exams, though. I shall need it then! They say it rests the spirit wonderfully then. Aunt Hattie was right that they give fiendish assignments fro vactaion[sic] to Midyears. By the way, you are coming down after midyears, are you not? R. S. V. P. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-14 [1921]
Text: January 14, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I believe that this is the date I have dated my letters for the past three days. Don't send me a calendar, Pete, because I have three already. I don't like to acknowledge the time I woke up this morning to study for our chem oral quiz. However, it was five-thirty, and then it was so bitter cold that I waited a half hour lettering the room warm up before starting to study. The maddening part of it was that we didn't cover...
Show moreJanuary 14, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I believe that this is the date I have dated my letters for the past three days. Don't send me a calendar, Pete, because I have three already. I don't like to acknowledge the time I woke up this morning to study for our chem oral quiz. However, it was five-thirty, and then it was so bitter cold that I waited a half hour lettering the room warm up before starting to study. The maddening part of it was that we didn't cover nearly as much as we were supposed to, and therefore I could have slept till seven. That is very hard on anyone who likes sleep as much as I do. I was so dead yesterday after three hours of lab that I finished my history topic after dinner and went to bed at nine. Miss Salmon gave a long dissertation this morning on marks. She says she hates them, hates them to the nth degree, and that the only reason she gave them and will keep on giving them is that she must conform to the rules of the college. She hates honors, too. She said she could not say that she thought that a girl who inherits a good brain and who doesn't study much deserves honors more than a girl of average mentality ho does good, hard work. The other night she had the officers of all the classes, of all the organizations of importance, and the ediotrs of the Miscellany News out to her house to discuss the question. She wants them to start a campaign of discussion in the News, in the hope of waking people up and eventually abolishing marks. She says that that is one of the chief causes for what she is constantly talking about--the falling off of intellectual interest in the student bodies of the colleges. Miss brown of the history department, who lives with Miss Salmon, told the girls afterwards that no reform of any importance had ever been brought about at Vassar which had not been instigates by Miss Salmon. Incidentally, she said in connection with the subject, that she never yet had been satisfied with a mark that she gave and didn't imagine any student had ever been satisfied with the mark she received, but she had one thing to ask of us--that we shouldn't ask her why we get the mark we do, because she would not be able to explain it. All of which is very interesting, provided she gives us decent marks! I admit I am not sufficiently developed mentally to be able to forgetthe existence of makrs. I would be a lot happier if I could, but they certainly are in the foreground most of the time to most of the people. We are reviewing in class in Ec. I certainly like the stuff. There has been skating for two days now. I had planned to try my luck this afternoon, for the first time in two years. but it snowed all night and is rainy and sleety now, and there is no skating today. The Ice Carnival was scheduled to take place tomorrow night. I hope it won't be interfered with. I shall compromise and go walking this afternoon. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-14
Text: January 14, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Like a dunce I slept till nine o'clock when I wanted to spend the whole day on Psych. I have worked on the topic all morning, and have just now finished the work of classification of my notes. Now the grind of writing begins. The Flonzaley quartet concert takes place down town tonight, but I have got to work on the old topic. I am going to the Political Association luncheon now to hear Professor J. Q. Dealey of Brown. After that I shall go...
Show moreJanuary 14, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Like a dunce I slept till nine o'clock when I wanted to spend the whole day on Psych. I have worked on the topic all morning, and have just now finished the work of classification of my notes. Now the grind of writing begins. The Flonzaley quartet concert takes place down town tonight, but I have got to work on the old topic. I am going to the Political Association luncheon now to hear Professor J. Q. Dealey of Brown. After that I shall go to the ice carnival for a little while and then renew the grind. My mind wouldn't work on psych last night so i read Debs Canton speech and Scott Nearing's defence of it. I needed something peppy and I surely got it. Then i went to bed and slept soundly and peacefully in accordance with my usual custom. Had a fine long walk yesterday afternoon. The snow is wonderful. Mother, I certainly would love to meet you in N. Y. after exams if you can manage it. Why not spend the following week up here. It is the first week of the semester, so you would certainly not be interfering with my work. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-14
Text: January 14, 1923 Dear Mother, Father and Pete: I just said a charm over my Drama Topic. It is all ready to hand in, at 4 P M Sunday and is not due till Tuesday. Pretty good! It is much better than I thought I was going to be, but it took terribly long to write it. And I typed it so well, you wouldn't know I did it! It is thirty single-spaced pages--I suppose it is too long for you to read, Pete! But I paragraphed it very carefully, so that you would have no trouble! There was quite a...
Show moreJanuary 14, 1923 Dear Mother, Father and Pete: I just said a charm over my Drama Topic. It is all ready to hand in, at 4 P M Sunday and is not due till Tuesday. Pretty good! It is much better than I thought I was going to be, but it took terribly long to write it. And I typed it so well, you wouldn't know I did it! It is thirty single-spaced pages--I suppose it is too long for you to read, Pete! But I paragraphed it very carefully, so that you would have no trouble! There was quite a fire in North last night on the third floor. I broke my usual feeling of aloofness to the mob spirit and watched it for a while. North is certainly getting its share this year. The girls clothes were saved, but not a semester topic which she was going to hand in this week! Speaking of topic reminds me that I told Jane I left mine at home, and in my presence a few minutes later she asked another girl for hers, and asked her if she knew whose she could get! I had lunch with her yesterday--off campus. Kindly remember what I told you in the special note the other day, Mother. After the fire I went to hear the famous Tony Sarg talk about his Marionettes. He was most interesting. I am sorry I missed the beginning of his talk. I thought it most amusing at one point when he told about his first attempt to get the marionettes into the movies--he showed his picture to a group of twenty men--he did not know how to put it delicately, but they had all at one time or another been in the "wholesale coak and suit business"! He then proceeded to describe the costume of the one with whom he had to deal--white spats, large black and white shecked suit, cane, bowler, waxed moustache. He ended up the interview by telling Sarg that "he had a hell of a lot of noif". In addition to that his demonstration with one the marionettes, showing how they are manipulated, was most interesting. In the afternoon I went up to Senior Parlor to hear the Heidelberg students speak informally on "conditions" in Germany. Unfortunately he spent most of the time playing the piano for us and showing us some very new-fangled drawings made by a student in the new dancing school that he is hipped about. It is a school of self-expression, and the girl certainly didn't express much to me. But he thinks they are wonderful! I think perhaps it was the girl behind the pictures, and of course I could not appreciate that! Then he talked for a while about conditions in Germany, but very scantily. His English was too poor to understand with ease. I think if he had spoken in German I should have gotten more out of it. There were only six of us there, and from the moment when I supplied the English word for him for a German one that he used and could not think of the English for, he addressed all his remarks to me. It was most embarassing, because several times I had no idea what he was trying to say. One thing, however, caught my ear and stuck in my mind, and that was when he was talking about Alsace-Lorraine, he said "of course, in case of German invasion, it will be absolutely defenseless". It will take more than the treaty of Versaillesto settle it. As he said, "the continent of Europe is really a most complicated thing" But my letters dare not be anything [but] foolish, so I shall desist. The Freshmen accepted the Harvard challenge. Do you know "Mr. Bowers", Pete? Miss Ellery signed my petition to take nine hours in history next semester. I am curious to hear you interesting story, Mother. Don't forget it. I hear Louise has already has her reception. At that rate, she will be married in a few weeks! Hope Harold continues to improve. Your special came today, Mother. They are delivered on Sundays. Also recieved you wire yesterday. Thank you for it. Just at present I feel as though I don't want to see a type writer again for ten years. It is terribly cold and snowing all the time, it seems to me.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-15 [1920]
Text: Januar 15, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your special came this afternoon, Mother. I would feel like a "selfish person", as Father would say, to have you come this week. I do not need you, although I admit it is nice to have Aunt Bessie. I would not enjoy particularly going alone. I worked my fool head off today. Thank goodness when three weeks are here. Miss Wells is going to send me a written in the unstamped mail. I shall take it on Sunday. I went down to see Miss...
Show moreJanuar 15, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your special came this afternoon, Mother. I would feel like a "selfish person", as Father would say, to have you come this week. I do not need you, although I admit it is nice to have Aunt Bessie. I would not enjoy particularly going alone. I worked my fool head off today. Thank goodness when three weeks are here. Miss Wells is going to send me a written in the unstamped mail. I shall take it on Sunday. I went down to see Miss Thallon tonight, and she will give me the history written tomorrow afternoon. I must have them out of my system. Exams are in the air--the world seems to revolve about them now. We were told today to buy the essay "Current Literature and the Colleges" by Henty Seidel Canby. We are to read it, do anything ith it that we please--that is to say, study it as we have studied various essays this semester--then bring it to the examinatuon. We will be examined on it. I had counted on not havving to study for the English exam. We review half of trif for Monday. I asked Champy is we would have the last day for review, whereupon she hopped all over us and said she could not understand out spirity , we ought to be reciewing already, the exams did not seem to worry us, and she saw us going sledding and skating, whereas in France when she had exams she used to get up at five and study all day long. She expects us to cram reviewing when she is cramming us full of new stuff miles long now. Poor fool! I had class drill in gym today. It was much better than at high school. I then dressed and went uover to Main for dinner with Helen Hurd the girl who came up the night I was sick. Do you remember her, Mother? Main is a wonderful place, all right, if you are built with a horse's stength. I think I would have lasted about six weeks there. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-15 [1921]
Text: January 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that I wrote to Grandpa yesterday. I don't want to get another letter from Aunt Hattie telling me Grandpa would enjoy hearing from me. Incidentally, I got a letter from him this morning. he takes my debating very seriously. It poured all yesterday afternoon, so the girl with whom I was planning to walk came over here and we fooled fro[sic] about a half hour, then decided to take our walk tomorrow...
Show moreJanuary 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that I wrote to Grandpa yesterday. I don't want to get another letter from Aunt Hattie telling me Grandpa would enjoy hearing from me. Incidentally, I got a letter from him this morning. he takes my debating very seriously. It poured all yesterday afternoon, so the girl with whom I was planning to walk came over here and we fooled fro[sic] about a half hour, then decided to take our walk tomorrow afternoon. Then i read for bout two hours--Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey". I had hoped to read all of it, but I did not manage to. Last night I heard a very interesting lecture, but I shall not tell you about it until I find somebody who knows what the man's name is. I got up for breakfast this morning, strange to relate. The reason was that I had to go to chem lab, and I could not see standing over there all morning on an epty stomach. I worked over there from nine until twelve thirty. It's a great life, this chemical life! Please don't correct my English because I did not mean it to be correct. I think I will finish the book this afternoon and then take a walk later. The ice carnival is off. There isn't a speck of snow or ice left on the ground. I had inteded to cut chapel tomorrow morning. I have enough cuts left and I could use the time to good advantage--besides which there is nothing that I do at college that gives me the same amount of satisfaction as cutting Sunday chapel. but the preacher tomorrow is said to be very good, the Reverend Cleland McAffe of Chicago. His daughter graduated last year. She was president of the Christian Association. What should I do about it, Pete. I have conscientious scruples against leaving cuts go by. We are going to have a debate dinner next week-end at Mrs. Glenn's. She has good food, and it is a small private house. I expect it to be loads of fun. Love, Fannie The last paragraph, i mean the one about chapel, is intended principally to shock Pete. Lester, please return Grandpa's Letter, contents of which pease note".
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-15 [1921]
Text: January 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Yesterday was a great day, not! I was in the lab over two hours. I had left an experiment in the middle two days before and wehn I went over there yesterday, could not find it anywhere. I started it over and after I had been working an hour, I found it. Lab make some more tired than walking for the same length of time would. From lab I went over to the library and worked for an hour on my history topic. It is rather interesting except...
Show moreJanuary 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Yesterday was a great day, not! I was in the lab over two hours. I had left an experiment in the middle two days before and wehn I went over there yesterday, could not find it anywhere. I started it over and after I had been working an hour, I found it. Lab make some more tired than walking for the same length of time would. From lab I went over to the library and worked for an hour on my history topic. It is rather interesting except that I have more work to do on it before tomorrow than I have time to do it in. I have taken the four main plains set forth in the Federal Convention of 1787 and compared their points of difference, and ended up with the result as shown in the Constitution of the United States. I also tried to give the main points of discussion in the convention. I hope Lucy will like the topic as well as I do--Lucy Salmon, I mean. I lost my Spanish grammar somewhere around college and I have had to waste a lot of time trying to find it. Starting tomorrow, I shall be more careful with my typing. I am really getting into a very careless way. Love, Fannie Mother, will you please have McKennan's fill my face prescription, (the salve) and send it to me. No 268989. It is helping, and I want to be sure to have it filled right.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-15
Text: January 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall be very brief tonight. I surely turned into a grind today. I worked for three and a half hours this morning on my psych topic and turned out fourteen pages single space. I felt as though I never wanted to look at a typewriter again. After dinner I read Byron for an hour, and then went skating. The ice was terrible, so we got hold of a sled and went coasting down Sunset for an hour instead. I then came back and read Byron till supper,...
Show moreJanuary 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall be very brief tonight. I surely turned into a grind today. I worked for three and a half hours this morning on my psych topic and turned out fourteen pages single space. I felt as though I never wanted to look at a typewriter again. After dinner I read Byron for an hour, and then went skating. The ice was terrible, so we got hold of a sled and went coasting down Sunset for an hour instead. I then came back and read Byron till supper, and now I shall work for three more hours on my psych topic. That ought to get within two hours of finishing it! I hate to think of copying it. The ice carnival was very pretty yesterday. I skated some then, but even yesterday the ice was bad. My right ankle is terribly weak. The straps you sent me, Pete, don't seem to help any. The speakers at the luncheon yesterday were not too good. The Jap was a hot-air orator, and Professor Dealey was convincing, but unnecessarily rude. Yesterday morning went to my topic. I'll be a happy mortal when [I] put down its final period. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-15
Text: January 15, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The Nettletons are having a formal reception in Saylor Hall tonight for Seniors, in honor of the president of Bryn Mawr. I don't know if it is worth getting into evening dress for or not. I studied five hours for a quiz on Hume this morning, and then a dozen souls who said they couldn't write on him got Riley to put it off till next Monday. I certainly was peeved. Otherwise I can report. Love, Fannie

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-16 [1920]
Text: January 16, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete:' According to the letter I received today you expected a telegram in either case, but I understood by your special yesterday that you wanted a telegram only if I wanted you to come. I am very sorry that I misunderstood. I worked first hour this morning, and then had my usual bunch of recitations. The hygiene lecture was the last for the semester, and Dr. T. told us the sort of questions she was going to ask on the exam. I don&apos...
Show moreJanuary 16, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete:' According to the letter I received today you expected a telegram in either case, but I understood by your special yesterday that you wanted a telegram only if I wanted you to come. I am very sorry that I misunderstood. I worked first hour this morning, and then had my usual bunch of recitations. The hygiene lecture was the last for the semester, and Dr. T. told us the sort of questions she was going to ask on the exam. I don't think I need worry about that exam. The best thing she told us this semester and which she has repeated so often is, "What you think you gain in time by studying late at night you lose in energy the next day". I appreciate that very much. I had my punch yesterday afternoon, I mean this afternoon, again. I have only struck Dr. T. once. I took the history quizz over in the library this afternoon, after an hour in this wonderful weather. I felt in good trim for work, but I am afraid I over did the exercise a little. I went down to Miss Thallon last night and told her I was ready for the exam. She called me Fannie again! I told her not to make it too hard, and she said she would not! She then wrote down on her memorandum pad, "Written lesson for F. Aaron, not too hard."! How can you help likeing anyone like that. She gave me four questions and I was to choose three. They were, 1. What was the difference in organization of the Estates General and the Model Parliament? 2. What were the causes and results of the Peasants' Insurrection? 3. What was the political and economic conditon of France at the end of the Hundred Years' War? 4. What conditions in the church made it necessary to call the councils and why were they a failure?. I took it over to the library and wrote for fifty minutes. It felt great to have it over with. I will take the math quizz Sunday morning when the rest of the college is at chapel. For the first time since I am here I could not get enough to eat--they must have been short and I had no fruit in my room. Inasmuch as I cannot, or at least, am not supposed to eat sweet stuff I went off campus in quest of some apples. And here I am with this letter. Off for N. Y. tomorrow. Nothing more new. Love,I am to come Wednesday aft. + he will only want to give me one treatment if we do not go to A.C. that is. if we stay in N.Y., he would rather have me [Thursday] at 1 o clock as Wed. is his hospital day.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-16 [1921]
Text: January 16, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is a wonderful warm day today, so I decided to cut chapel and get a good walk in this afternoon instead. I did not wake up till nine o'clocl and then after I had finished with my semi-breakfast a girl in my chem class came up and alked till about eleven. She had a notion that the lab was open today, and she wanted me to go over and work today. She came up to tell me that it was closed--a fact that did not surprise me greatly....
Show moreJanuary 16, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is a wonderful warm day today, so I decided to cut chapel and get a good walk in this afternoon instead. I did not wake up till nine o'clocl and then after I had finished with my semi-breakfast a girl in my chem class came up and alked till about eleven. She had a notion that the lab was open today, and she wanted me to go over and work today. She came up to tell me that it was closed--a fact that did not surprise me greatly. Then she proceeded to tell me about what she intends to do in college--take two science courses every year until she graduates, (she is a Freshman now), go to John Hopkins for six years, and then specialize for two years after that. I think anybody that takes two sciences a year all through college must be out of her mind; it would wreck me to spend all that time standing in lab. She says that she is as strong as a horse, that it is her ambition to break down sometime! That is quite an individual ambition. Last night I was planning to go to bed early, but Ruth Brandsten came in with her troubles and talked till almost eleven. I don't make a practice of talking as late as that, but when it is interesting, I don't mind. The thing that amuses me is why anybody on earth should come to me for advice. I think she is a very fine and interesting girl, very much superior to most of the Jewish girls that one meets. I finished "Northanger Abbey" this morning. I enjoyed it very much. That is the first of Jane Austen's book that I have read. I remember trying to get interested in "Pride and Prejudice" quite a few years ago. I remember also that I tried without success. As I said before, i am going walking for a while this afternoon, and then I am coming home and study chem. If anybody disturbs me, she will be shot on the spot. It is great to be able to take one's time to do things, but I guess that feeling will weak off within the next week. That is what I like about cutting Sunday chapel, it starts the day off so leisurely. (Don't get 'het up', Pete.) I spent last evening in the library reading the Articles of Confederation and the arguments advanced against their adoption. It was quite interesting. We are going to spend next week in informal discussion on that subject. There was no letter from you yesterday, Mother. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1923-01-16]
Text: [16 Jan 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The reception was lovely last night. Everybody including myself looked very nice. I wore my green brocade, as did also another girl! Elizabeth Dinkey and I decided to talk to Miss Cowley for a while and we were corneered for most of the evening! It took place in Taylor Hall, and was very impressive. The reason I enjoyed it--I think00is that Dr. Nettleton remembered me and introduced me to his wife! The Bryn Mawr president looks very brainy. Before...
Show more[16 Jan 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The reception was lovely last night. Everybody including myself looked very nice. I wore my green brocade, as did also another girl! Elizabeth Dinkey and I decided to talk to Miss Cowley for a while and we were corneered for most of the evening! It took place in Taylor Hall, and was very impressive. The reason I enjoyed it--I think00is that Dr. Nettleton remembered me and introduced me to his wife! The Bryn Mawr president looks very brainy. Before the reception I heard the famous Miss Maud Royden, English preacher. She surely can talk. She was exceedingly interesting. I handed my last topic in today. I have a feeling of decided relief. Must hurry to go coasting now. I have received no laundry case yet--can't send my laundry till one comes. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-16
Text: January 16, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: "A kingdom of priests and a holy people". Yeah, forsooth, verily, nay, moreover. You may not know what this means. It means that I am very busy. "I am very busy" is the clause most frequently used my me in these days, and "A kingdom of priests and a holy people" is you favorite expression, Pete, therefore they must mean each other. I spent three hours more on my psych topic last night, and just about finished it-...
Show moreJanuary 16, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: "A kingdom of priests and a holy people". Yeah, forsooth, verily, nay, moreover. You may not know what this means. It means that I am very busy. "I am very busy" is the clause most frequently used my me in these days, and "A kingdom of priests and a holy people" is you favorite expression, Pete, therefore they must mean each other. I spent three hours more on my psych topic last night, and just about finished it--that is about three more hours. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-17 [1921]
Text: January 17, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Answers to questions:--the gifts were received with much appreciation and an increasing good-will on the part of Miss Herndon has been manifest ever since. The salve came this morning. Thank you. A package of American Stationery Company paper came also. Thank you for that too. I have been meaning to order some for myself all year, but never got to it. The things from K. B. are satisfactory. I am using the blue dress and have had to stop...
Show moreJanuary 17, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Answers to questions:--the gifts were received with much appreciation and an increasing good-will on the part of Miss Herndon has been manifest ever since. The salve came this morning. Thank you. A package of American Stationery Company paper came also. Thank you for that too. I have been meaning to order some for myself all year, but never got to it. The things from K. B. are satisfactory. I am using the blue dress and have had to stop wearing the brown. It looks like a bag, and then some. Should I send it home for you to give away? I had a very nice walk yesterday afternoon. it was a gorgeous day. Then i came home and read the New York Times for an hour! Please take notice of that, Lester. I then proceeded to read the poems of Masefield on which our Romance exam is to be based. I went to the organ recital in the chapel last night, otherwise known as "dark music". I then came home, washed my head, and studied chemisty till ten o'clock. During that time there was a very excited and lengthy interruption, caused by Ruth Bransten who burst in to give me all the particulars about the invitation she had just gotten to the Harvard Junior Prom. Her brother cooked it all up and his roommate, the famous member of the football team, is taking her. She certainly was excited. Everybody kids her about her brother's roommate, because she is talking about hime all the time. you don't happen to know any members of football teams that you would like to room with, do you, Pete? We had a fierce one hour written in Ec this morning. He asked three hard questions, one of which I had made a note of to ask about in our next quiz meeting. But that did not do me any good. I have some interesting information for you. Do you remember that wonderful looking girl who sat at the table next to us in the dining-room at Late Tahoe, whom i used to stare at all the time? Anyhow, the oone I mean is Mrs. Charles Heimerdinger, now Freshman year for Marshal of the Daisy Chain, but did not come back; graduated from Barnard with Phi Beta Kappa and won a history prize that had not been awarded for five years because nobody had been good enough for it. One of my freshman neighbors, a friend of her sisters, started raving about her today and volunteered this information. I am about to start off to lab again. [Love, Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-18 [1921]
Text: January 19, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Were in the world is my laundry? I hope it has not been lost. It usually comes by Saturday, or Sunday at the latest. Today is Wednesday, and it is not here yet. It got home all right last week, didn't it? I hope so, because I had the library books in it, in addition to clothes. Pete, I inaugurated my typewriter reform several days ago. I am improving gradually. In case you hadn't noticed it, I am telling you now. Also, didn...
Show moreJanuary 19, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Were in the world is my laundry? I hope it has not been lost. It usually comes by Saturday, or Sunday at the latest. Today is Wednesday, and it is not here yet. It got home all right last week, didn't it? I hope so, because I had the library books in it, in addition to clothes. Pete, I inaugurated my typewriter reform several days ago. I am improving gradually. In case you hadn't noticed it, I am telling you now. Also, didn't you ever hear that a person was going to give a lecture on something which interested you, and then go to the lecture, in the meantime forgetting that person's name? I admit I don't do it often, but it does happen once in a while. I studied chem yesterday afternoon until dinner time. I am getting the stuff down pat, I think. All I needed was a little intensive study. Theoretically, you are not supposed to have to study in this course between lectures, but practically, you do. That is where the trouble was coming in, I think. We had to write in class today, but I had learned the tables which we were supposed to give, so I was all right. The ice carnival last night was beautiful. It is the first that has been held for three years. Two years ago there wasn't any ice all winter and last year there was too much snow to keep the lakes shoveled. There were five huge bonfires on the shore of Pratt Lake, enough to light up the whole lake. There were no lanterns, but there was a huge American flag hanging over the center of the lake. The band was seated down at the far end and everybody got in line there for the grand march. Only those could skate in it who where completely dressed in white, and there were a lot. They skated down the center of the lake and around it in twos, then fours, eights, sixteens, and finally, in single file. Then anyone who wanted to could skate for a little while. Then they formed a large circle aroud the exhibition skaters. Two juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman did some marvelous exhibition dancing-skating. They were as good as any professionals could be. Then the four of them skated along, winding in and out among each other. They certainly were wonderful. The sophomore, Anna Osterhout, (whoe father incidentally, is the well-known botany prof at Harvard) was telling us last year that when they moved from Berkeley to Cambridge she was presented with a pair of skates and the first time there was ice she went onto the lake and skated as though she was known how to skate all her life, doing all kinds of stunts. It was a beautiful sight, all right. I was very sorry you couldn't see it, Pete. I felt sure that had you been able to, you would have agreed that the beauty of Vassar equals, if it does not surpass, the sublime and heavenly beauty of Wellesley! Our Spanish lession for tomorrow is on Chile. The student-assistant in the Spanish department, who hails from Chile, is going to conduct our class. I have some studying, and a healthy amoung[sic] of it, too, to do for the Spanish exam. I have used it for my semi-snap course, and the result is a sad need for concentration on irregular verbs, etc. We are reviewing in Ec now. I am going to skate for a little while this afternoon. I have also to prepare a secen minute Speech on some question of current interest for the large meeting of Speakers' Bureau seventh hour this afternoon. The speakers are to be chosen today for the half hour address to the current topics class of farmer at Rhinecliff, so I had better hump myself. I would like to go. I understand it is loads of fun--in fact, I don't very well see how it could help being so. I have an English paper to write for next Monday. The only thing I like about writing papers for that course is to be able to make Miss Peebles repeat her comment of a month ago, that my papers "showed a great deal of intelligent thinking and good ideas". We are having wonderful weather. But it's hard to get up in the morning"! I had a letter from Helen Diamond today, but it was not particularly interesting. Considering that I have a lot of studying to do, this is a rather long letter! Love, Fannie Father, and Mother, How can you read my shallow letters, after all Pete's prfoundly[sic] philosophical words of wisdom, or rather, reflection? It must be annoying to you to have the difference in our mentalities laid before you so plainly every day!
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-18 [1921]
Text: January 18, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It was so wonderful after lab yesterday that three of us decided to go skating. We chased back for our skates and then went over to the lake and skated for about a half hour. The ice was great and so was the weather, but my ankles were not. They turned terribly, but I skated alone for about half the time, which is more than I ever was able to do at home. Considering that it was the first time in two years that I have been on the ice, I...
Show moreJanuary 18, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It was so wonderful after lab yesterday that three of us decided to go skating. We chased back for our skates and then went over to the lake and skated for about a half hour. The ice was great and so was the weather, but my ankles were not. They turned terribly, but I skated alone for about half the time, which is more than I ever was able to do at home. Considering that it was the first time in two years that I have been on the ice, I managed pretty well. The carnival is tonight. I am going over to watch it for a little while. It was very cold today--either below zero early this morning. I was the original Columbus of Davison today. Three was a notice on the bulletin board today, "No skating on Pratt Lake, (Sunset) until this evening, on account of the carnival." There was another small notice, which said, "Skating on the old Lake". So five of us went down there afer lunch, and had that whole huge lake all to ourselves. The ice was like gladd. it went a little better than yesterday. it is all a matter of practice, I guess, but certainly my ankles are not naturally any too strong; I don't think skating is going to hurt me any, as long as I don't get chilled. I was so sleepy last night that I went to bed at eight thirty adn[sic] set my clock for six this morning, intending to get up any study. But I did your trick this time, Pete. I am afraid it takes too much courage these cold winter mornings. I just say Lucy. She was on her way back from a conference with Miss Wylie, and she was in her seventh heaven. I told her that it was too bad that I wasn't able to go home and rave with you about Miss Salmon, but that she could make up for me and rave with you about Miss Wylie. I do hope I'll have her next year, but there is a possibility of her course being made into a senior course. We had another interesting day in history today. We constituted ourselves the Continental Congress, and the question before us for duscussion was whether or not to lay the Articles of Confederation before the states for ratification. I am going to study chem for two hours now. The more I look at your picture, Father, the more excellent I think it is. Seriously, (excuse the expression, Pete) I think it is fine. I guess the trouble before was that I wanted you to be very handsome, and--well, you know! Mother, are you planning the come up to college to see me here after I come back from New York after midyears. I think it would be an excellent idea. you were here last year when I was sick, so I would like you to come once and enjoy it. R. S. V. P. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1913-01-18
Text: January 18, 1913 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I missed the afternoon mail yesterday, so I sent my letter special this A. M.--hope you will get it. I have decided to do Leibnitz for my exam, and shall start on it tomorrow. Nothing new to report, except that I have engaged the following at Miss Mullaly's for Commencement: a room on second floor with double bed and cot (comfortable--like college cots), a room downstairs with double bed (rear of house), and another room downstairs with...
Show moreJanuary 18, 1913 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I missed the afternoon mail yesterday, so I sent my letter special this A. M.--hope you will get it. I have decided to do Leibnitz for my exam, and shall start on it tomorrow. Nothing new to report, except that I have engaged the following at Miss Mullaly's for Commencement: a room on second floor with double bed and cot (comfortable--like college cots), a room downstairs with double bed (rear of house), and another room downstairs with large bed. It is the best I could get, and she assures me that they are quiet and comfortable. I had to argue quite a while to convince her that my family weren't keen about double beds. Does that suit you? R. S. V. P. There is another house, two blocks farther from college, where I inquired, but they too have cots. Personally, I think they are more comfortable than the average rickety bed. I engaged Miss Mullaly's definitely--tell me if they do not suit, please. Love, Fannie Am going for a walk now--I have adopted the fresh air cure. This is the period of the year that I always dislike college. Without fearing exams, I certainly hate the pre-exam atmosphere, as it has been the last ten days. I went off to lunch with Hlen and Kro today, and it felt good to eat some food that was recognizable as such.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/18/20
Text: January 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It just occured to me that this is the first time I have written the date right. I got back a little after six last night. I took the care out to college last night. I wanted to see which way bumps less, but it is sixes and sixes, I think. I went to bed then and slept from chapel time till seven thirty this morning, waking up only for the return of the college from the concert. After breakfast I got an airing. I then reviewed some more for my...
Show moreJanuary 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It just occured to me that this is the first time I have written the date right. I got back a little after six last night. I took the care out to college last night. I wanted to see which way bumps less, but it is sixes and sixes, I think. I went to bed then and slept from chapel time till seven thirty this morning, waking up only for the return of the college from the concert. After breakfast I got an airing. I then reviewed some more for my Latin exam. I shall now take the Math quizz. This afternoon I shall study some more for the exams--review, not cram, you understand. Love, F.[enc w/ 18 Jan 1920] Dear Mother, I had some day yesterday--I thought my insides would burn out. Aunt Bessie says that is a sign of improvement--perhaps, I don't know. The doctor says he saw a material improvement, about as much better as I felt. I am very glad I came back and did not stay in N. Y. over night, as I felt not one bit worse off, and it was not quite worn off yet. It is a good thing I went to sleep last night early. He told me I behave very well for the treatment! He also told Aunt Bessie I am very plucky--he generally hates to have a young girl come in there because they make too much fuss about themselves. That is all I know.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-19 [?]
Text: [19 Jan 1923?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lois Barclay, the official tutor of the Ec department, and Millsy's right-hand man, told me last night that of the twenty-five who applied for Seminar, only six were admitted, and they were the only ones whom the whole department agreed on. Considering that I have never had an A in the department, I don't quite see why I got in, unless it was because of my topic Peg Ray, '22, assistant in the department, told me the other night...
Show more[19 Jan 1923?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lois Barclay, the official tutor of the Ec department, and Millsy's right-hand man, told me last night that of the twenty-five who applied for Seminar, only six were admitted, and they were the only ones whom the whole department agreed on. Considering that I have never had an A in the department, I don't quite see why I got in, unless it was because of my topic Peg Ray, '22, assistant in the department, told me the other night that he had been raving to her about how splendid it was, and he praised it so much that she read some of it. Day by day-------! Miss Cowley called on my yesterday afternoon. My room was in great disorder and I was eating an organge[sic] hanging over the waste-basket when she appeared. I was a little embarrassed. We discussed typewriters most of the time. She came back by day Sunday, and counted on making the eight o'clock up, getting in at the Pa. at seven-fifty. Needless to say, she missed connections. I had a letter from Helen Stern this morning telling me she expects me to stay with her Tuesday night, before going to Atlantic Wednesday. Will you be in N. Y. then? Of course if you are I want to stay with you. R. S. V. P. so that I can let her know as soon as possible. Miss Brown gave us our exam questions for Tolerance exam this morning--it is hard enough to wake up the dead. Here's where we pay the price of loafing all semester! The questions necessitate doing the whole semester's course between now and the day of the exam, and I have four others that I have to study hard for! I start this afternoon. Have a good time in New York, and don't let them elect you president, Pop. Orders to Marcus from his boss. Love, Fannie Friday--middle of January
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-19
Text: 203 Davison House, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., January 19, 1922. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wanted to see what it feels like to write a methodical letter, and I didn't suppose I could get away with it beyond the first paragraph, so I put on a grand and glorious heading. It makes me feel like you, Pete, and hence very brainy and superior. It is a good think I feel that way now, because I go to J next hour, and there isn't much chance of my keeping on feeling that way....
Show more203 Davison House, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., January 19, 1922. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wanted to see what it feels like to write a methodical letter, and I didn't suppose I could get away with it beyond the first paragraph, so I put on a grand and glorious heading. It makes me feel like you, Pete, and hence very brainy and superior. It is a good think I feel that way now, because I go to J next hour, and there isn't much chance of my keeping on feeling that way. I have been very busy lately. I just now finished reading the chapter in James in "Will" and have found out how to make up my mind not to be so busy in the future. The most important thing that has transpired lately was a delicious one dollar dinner at the Inn Tuesday night with Helen. We have had absolutely impossible food since vacation. The chef is sick, and we have a new one. I think he ought to be bounced. I haven't done anything worth talking about since my last letter--that is why I am taking up space saying nothing. Have you heard anything about Pauline's wedding, outside of the amount of champagne consumed? Have you heard from Dr. Clark? That is the chief interest in my life at present. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-20
Text: January 20, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The picture of Marse certainly is a scream. But I don't see why you say he will get sore--if he has any sense of humor at all, he will have to see how funny it is. I don't know how I could have been figuring that I should have gotten laundry this week--you could hardly have had any to send! I am sorry the last was late in coming. I sent it on Wednesday as usual. I am afraid this week's will be late. I took it to the post-office...
Show moreJanuary 20, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The picture of Marse certainly is a scream. But I don't see why you say he will get sore--if he has any sense of humor at all, he will have to see how funny it is. I don't know how I could have been figuring that I should have gotten laundry this week--you could hardly have had any to send! I am sorry the last was late in coming. I sent it on Wednesday as usual. I am afraid this week's will be late. I took it to the post-office yesterday and put the stamps on. Today at noon I got a notice please to come to the post-office as soon as possible. My laundry was still there, inasmuch as I had hurried off after pasting on the stamps and forgotten to pay for them. Pete, you take me too seriously. You didn't suppose I meant the room-mate stuff seriously, did you? I made my speech in the big meeting of Speakers' Bureau yesterday afternoon. I was one of the four called on, which speaks pretty well for the Rhineeli if chances, I think. I expounded for seven minutes on Japanese immigration, as seen by Professor Albert Bushnell Hart. Oh, yes, I will be a high-brow one of these days. She cut the others up pretty much. Of me she said, "I have no criticism to offer. It was an excellent speech very well done, and it interested me very much". After the meeting she came up to me to tell me how well I did. Ahem! After the meeting I went skating for a half-hour. The ice is still fine. I managed a little better than the last time. Is the young lady aus Wellesley a good skater, Pete? I have to go to that d--- lab now. I wish it didn't tire me so. Mercedes de la Barra of Chile conducted our Spanish class today. It was extremely interesting. She had a lot of pictures and told us a lot about the country. I think I'll have to cultivate her acquaintance, inasmuch as she lives just below me. My oral English Speech exam comes next Tuesday and the written one, one hour long, comes next Thursday. Betty Humphreys and I are going to call on Miss Salmon tomorrow night. If we don't find anything else to talk about, we can at least talk about when she taught our mothers! Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-20
Text: January 30, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: One of the unfortunate parts of writing a long letter is the consequent dearth of subject-matter the next day. I loafed all day yesterday--as a reaction to the exam rush. Took a long walk in the afternoon, read the paper, went to dark-music after supper, and loafed the rest of the evening. I started to read "Heredity and Environment"--the supplement to your Bible, Pete-- and got so interested that I read later than I should have. It...
Show moreJanuary 30, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: One of the unfortunate parts of writing a long letter is the consequent dearth of subject-matter the next day. I loafed all day yesterday--as a reaction to the exam rush. Took a long walk in the afternoon, read the paper, went to dark-music after supper, and loafed the rest of the evening. I started to read "Heredity and Environment"--the supplement to your Bible, Pete-- and got so interested that I read later than I should have. It might be just as well to let that go until after the exam, though. I found that it was messing up the limited knowledge that I had acquired in the course of our lectures. I am going to town this afternoon to attend to some things that can't be put off any longer, among others a shampoo and having a button put on my fur coat which came off the other day. I cut off about five inches of my hair last night. Perhaps it will be more manageable now. Love, Fannie Pete, be sure to answer P. D. Q. about the biology text-book.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-21 [1921]
Text: January 21, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure to announce to you that I passed the Ec. written the other day. Considering that over half the people who take Baby Ec flunked it, I am quite proud of myself. Some of the best people in my class, and it is a spendid class, including Dorothea Schmidt, flunked it. The department marks on a basis of five, and I figured out by the marks next to each question and by the final marks at the end, (all of which had been erased...
Show moreJanuary 21, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure to announce to you that I passed the Ec. written the other day. Considering that over half the people who take Baby Ec flunked it, I am quite proud of myself. Some of the best people in my class, and it is a spendid class, including Dorothea Schmidt, flunked it. The department marks on a basis of five, and I figured out by the marks next to each question and by the final marks at the end, (all of which had been erased but were distinguishable, that I had an average of four and a half. That is either B or B plus. It certainly was a corker. Father, do you remember the paragraph in the outline book about the fact that fixed capital hindered the adjustment of market price to normal value? We decided that it was unintelligible. Well, I had checked that in my book to ask about the next recitation, and then we got that as one of the three questions on the quiz. There was only one in all the classes who got it completely right. I put up a big bluff, not knowing what I was talking about, and got away with it, evidently. That is the one way I can blugg--on paper. If I try to doit in class my unconfident voice and facial expression give me away. Miss New Comer told us that the reason they gave this written was to show us where we stand before the exam. Most of us stand on trembling ground, I am afraid. We had to write for a half hour in chem this morning. I managed all right. As long as it is memory work, I am safe. Then after that he started firing questions at us. I excaped until just after the bell rang. He is hard of hearing, and very rarely hears the bell. I was going to tell him that it had rung, but I thought that was making it too evident that I preferred not trying to answer. Finally he called on another girl for something else, and she came forth very strongly the the answer, "Professor Moulton, the bell rang over five minutes ago". It was very funny--he thought so too. This morning in history class the Federal Convention discussed whether to abandon or amend the articles of Confederation. We had great fun. I advocated abandonning them, and the discussion became quite spirited. We all prefaced our speeches with remarks such as this, "As you no doubt know, I represent such and such a state, and my state elected me to do so and so. i feel that I am on my honor to see that this is done, and if you will not consider this, I feel it my duty to leave the convention." It was very funny at times. Our next history lession, for Tuesday, is to make out an exam. We all decided to make out easy ones, because we all have a feeling that it would be just like dear old Aunt Lucy to hand these papers out the day of the exam, instead of making one out herself! Dr. T. has been known to do that in physiology. I heard an intensely interesting lecture last night byDr. Haas (sorry I don't know his first name, Pete, but it was not announced), who worked for eight years in Adena. He spoke principally about the Turkish attitude in the Armenian massacres, and then he considered the method of overcoming this intense hatred of the Turks. He proposed doing it by deeds of love, and similar bunk. He told one story to illustrate the intensity of race hatred in the region in which he worked. He said on the big Mohammedan feast day every Mohommedan sacrifices a sheep to Allah and prays that as many Christians be killed that year as sheep have been sacrificed. On Easter every Christian tried to see how many Easter eggs he can eat, and prays that that year as many Mohannedans be killed as eggs have been eaten. And the Jew prays that both these prayers may be answered. I had never heard that story before, but I should imagine that it is a pretty true expression of the situation. And that is not so very much different from what the Zionists will encounter. I was telling Helen Reid after the lecture what the man had to say, and I also expressed my doubt of what could be accomplished by the love he advocated. I thought the two examples he cited of what it accomplished were glaring examples of the exception to the rule, and I said so, too. She said, maybe, but it sounded reasonable to her. About ten minutes later she happened to be talking about war relief, and she mentioned that she would never want to give a cent to Austrian war relief until every poor person in this country were taken care of. I asked her how she reconciled that attitude with what she had just said, that she believed in "turning the left cheek". (Isn't that the expression? I am not up in these religious discussions, you know!) Anyhow, she admitted she was stumped and that that system would not work in practice. Altogether it was a very interesting evening. I must get ready to go to town now. We decided to call on Miss Salmon this afternoon, and to walk down and back. It is quite warm. I am afraid that the ice is going to melt. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-21
Text: January 21, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is the first Sunday morning this year I have gotten up in time for breakfast--hope the rest of the day continues as energetic. I am about to return to that darn philosphy, and am deferring the dreaded momentas long possible. The coasting wonderful yesterday, from the very topcof Sunset to the bottom without stopping once. I did that for an hour and a half, and spent the rest of the afternoon philosophying. Heard a punk lecture on the...
Show moreJanuary 21, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is the first Sunday morning this year I have gotten up in time for breakfast--hope the rest of the day continues as energetic. I am about to return to that darn philosphy, and am deferring the dreaded momentas long possible. The coasting wonderful yesterday, from the very topcof Sunset to the bottom without stopping once. I did that for an hour and a half, and spent the rest of the afternoon philosophying. Heard a punk lecture on the political situation in Great Britain last night, by Mr. A. P. Wilson, former member of Parliament. He is without doubt the worst public speaker I have ever heard. Our Tolerance class are up in arms about the injustice of giving us that exam paper one week before it is due, when we have to prepare for all our other exams the same week. If we had done any work all semester we could kick, but this way we don't feel we can. There are six questions, each a semester topic in itself. It certainly takes the joy out of life. Wishing you otherwise, I am, Your overworked Earickeloo Let me know if you still plan to stay in New York.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/22/20
Text: January 22, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You should not make fun of me, Pete, because I make a fuss that Miss Thallon calls me by my first name. She did it last evening again! And I'll mention it even if you do object. I enjoyed that much more than Mr. Vanderlip's lecture, for instance. Incidentally, for the rest of my Freshman year I intend to swear off anything too deep for my childish brains. Pete, please don't be shocked. I saw last year's history exam today....
Show moreJanuary 22, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You should not make fun of me, Pete, because I make a fuss that Miss Thallon calls me by my first name. She did it last evening again! And I'll mention it even if you do object. I enjoyed that much more than Mr. Vanderlip's lecture, for instance. Incidentally, for the rest of my Freshman year I intend to swear off anything too deep for my childish brains. Pete, please don't be shocked. I saw last year's history exam today. It is very general and consists of what is termed "thinking", not memory, questions. I forgot to tell you yesterday that I made A- on the math quiz, (spelled with one z). The careless mistakes counted for the minus. As I was chasing off last night to get a book that I had signed up for five-thirty until seven-thirty I passed Miss Thallon in the hall, and that is when she called me by my first name again, Fannie, that is, not Miss Aaron, but Fannie, she told me when she called me by my first name that she marked my paper the first thing Saturday morning, and it was very fine indeed. I asked her which she meant, the quiz of the topic, and she said both. She said the topic was rather full in places and could have been condensed, but it was good and showed intelligent reading and work. I asked her what I got on them, and she said, "I gave you an A on the written lesson and a B plus on the topic." My exclamation of delight made her ask me if I was pleased. The fourth floor will testify to that. One of them asked me if history was one of the subjects I was going to flunk out on. Considering the circumstances under which I did the topic, I am tickled with the mark, although B plus would satisfy me even under favorable working conditions. I belong to the ten o'clock club, an institution in Davison which binds every member to be in bed by ten o'clock until exams are over or pay the enormous fine of five cents an hour. They won't make any money on me. The fines will go to pay for a club feed or part of a sleigh-ride. I finished my math review and shall finish the Latin and most of the English today. I think it is quite disgusting that we should have to use our early morning energy on hygiene and then take the English exam immediately afterwards. There certainly is an abundance of snow around. It is beautiful. Love, [Fannie][enc w/ 22 Jan 1920] Mother, Your advice about exams is very good, although it told me nothing new. But this is the situation. I am not doing any conscious worrying about exams, nevertheless I am under the same strain that everyone else is, although not in the same degree of panic. But that or something else has put my bowels off again. The Maltine does not work properly and I don't know what else to try. I used Castor Oil last night. But the worst of it is that it has become quite painful. I do not know the physiology terms again, but I mean at the passage way, or what ever it is called. The only thing I knew to do was take the C. oil and goo myself up with vaseline. If there is anything else please let me know what to do, as it is most annoying for any occasion, particularly exam week, when I need all my pep and energy and power on my work. This note is stricktly for you, Mother.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/22/20
Text: January 22, the day before exams. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lester, we had pork last night, but Lester, I did not eat it. I celebrated this morning sleeping till seven-thirty instead of seven. I then celebrated by walking down to Arlington to replenish my supply of drugs and buying some hair nets at Jane Wilson's. Then i came back and completely finished my math review. I shall not open a trig--I don't think I shall, anyhow, until him exam is over. I also finished the hygiene...
Show moreJanuary 22, the day before exams. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lester, we had pork last night, but Lester, I did not eat it. I celebrated this morning sleeping till seven-thirty instead of seven. I then celebrated by walking down to Arlington to replenish my supply of drugs and buying some hair nets at Jane Wilson's. Then i came back and completely finished my math review. I shall not open a trig--I don't think I shall, anyhow, until him exam is over. I also finished the hygiene review. I am quite an authority on the subject of daily baths, clean feet, and sufficient turning of the mattress, by this time. It is almost lunch time. Afdter lunch I shall finish my Latin review, and then go out for an hour, either walking or coasting. I shall then come back and finish my English completely. It will then remain for me to do History and French, the two which will take the moast work. But I shall have plenty of time to do them in. I woke up this morning with the beginning of a cold, the first I have had a college. I have not the slightest idea how I got it, but I certainly started in right away with the cold medicine. Now is no time to have a cold, particularly considering the fact that there is an epidemic either of grippe or flu. Most of the fourth floor has been having it. One vacated in the infirm to let another in. But then i don't flit around in kimonos in below zero weather, so I think I am safe. Dorothea is twenty today, and Carolyn Fay will be twenty-one tomorrow. It seems perfectly ridiculous to think that that little bobbed hair kids is four years older than I am. Gym was wonderful yesterday. We were allowed to do absolutely anything we pleased. It was my apparatus day. it is the first time I have ever had gym that is had been real exercise. I proceeded to master "him-horse" and I actually got myself to jump it without much difficulty. I then tried jumping bars, whatever the technical expression for that is. I also did not ring swinging. I read some French last night and went to bed early. This time next week I'll be with you. I realy think Atlantic would be quite a rush. We could not go with comfort until late Wednesday night, and if I take it easy in N. Y., it ought to do me good also. That is why I did not telegraph to you. Did you write to Dr. F. that we would come on Thursday instead of Wednesday. He will not have to wait for me then. Love, I am glad my marks pleased you, Pete, but then there is no reason that they should not have. I don't expect to clean up the finals that way, though.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-22
Text: January 22, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is an extemely stupid, warm, and pepless day. I woke up at nine o'clock and finally managed to get myself down to work at eleven fifteen. I have been studying for an hour and a half now, and am again in a very sleepy state. I have done all my review for my Ec exam, which comes Friday morning. It is very simple to review for, I think. I also did some supplementary reading on the evolution of economics and economic theory, which was...
Show moreJanuary 22, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is an extemely stupid, warm, and pepless day. I woke up at nine o'clock and finally managed to get myself down to work at eleven fifteen. I have been studying for an hour and a half now, and am again in a very sleepy state. I have done all my review for my Ec exam, which comes Friday morning. It is very simple to review for, I think. I also did some supplementary reading on the evolution of economics and economic theory, which was very interesting. I plan to write an English paper and to study some more chem now, if I can get up the pep to do it. Tomorrow I shall devote largely to the study of the theory of English speech. I don't remember any of that technical stuff which we had last semester. I fooled around yesterday afternoon until three o'clock and then we walked to town and called on Miss Salmon. She has a very cozy house with Miss Brown. It is on Mill Street, near Luckey's. She was very interesting. She talked about the evolution of words in real Miss Salmon style, about marks (with a vengeance, too), and about things in general. She did most of the talking, and kept it up for three quarters of an hour. I certainly think it would be ideal, if her plan of no marks at all were to go into effect. She said Michigan had it for a long time, but when a large number of Harvard men when out there as profs, they thought they would reform things, and which the institution of Phi Bete Kappa found it necessary to introduce marks. She said, "And so, I am sorry to say, Michigan has retrograded, too". Another thing which she advocates very strongly in taking in girls on merit instead of taking into consideration the length of time their applications have been ing. She said there are twelve hundred on the waiting list for next fall and more on the waiting list for the next few years than there are alumnae of the college! She certainly was interesting. She asked us to be sure to come soon again, and she also asked for you, Mother. I had the strangest feeling the whole time she was talking--I kept thinking constantly of the long time she had been here and what a perfect Methuselah she must feel like, to seen have this college grow to what it is almost from the time of its founding and to have seen so many new methods and experiments tried! We got back just in time for dinner, and after chapel I wasted the evening on a lecture which was not particularly worth hearing, "What Americans Should Seek in France," given in English by a Frenchman, M. Dimnet. It was a continuous series of anecdotes. I then came home and went to bed. I certainly have succeeded in accomplishing nothing this week-end except sleeping. But I have not had particularly much to do, so it is all right. Love, Fannie[enc w/ 22 Jan 1921] Dear Mothrer:[sic] I have been strongly tempted for the past week to buy a regulation heavy Spaulding sweater for skating, but did not want to do so without your consent. The tan one I got last year is so tight that I cannot wear it all all. It looks like a joke, and I cannot stretch it. They are sold at the Albert Shop for twelve dollars. Would it be terribly extravagant if I should do so? I whould get a lot of use out if one, if it fit so that I could wear it. If I got another could you dispose of this one at all. It seems very extravagant, that is why I would not want to do it without asking you first. What does one do for hives? I have either that or seven mosquito bites, and I don't see how I could have the latter this time of the year. I don't know what I would get hives from, but they are certainly something that itch most decidedly and look like bites without heads. Love, FannieWe have seen in the study of the determination of molecular weights that the lowering of the freezing point, the raising of the boiling point, and the lowering of the vapor pressure of organic subs.Mother Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-22
Text: January 22, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I did not go for my mail yesterday until almost dinner time, and as specials are no longer delivered as specials, but in the regular mail, I did not get your letter in time to get an answer off that would leave here before tonight. That is why I wired, to avoid further delay. My laundry also came in the regular mail. So in the future, if you have anyhing to say that is urgent, you will have to telegraph, but please be careful how you word...
Show moreJanuary 22, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I did not go for my mail yesterday until almost dinner time, and as specials are no longer delivered as specials, but in the regular mail, I did not get your letter in time to get an answer off that would leave here before tonight. That is why I wired, to avoid further delay. My laundry also came in the regular mail. So in the future, if you have anyhing to say that is urgent, you will have to telegraph, but please be careful how you word anything that you might not want to be known in the messenger room. That is general advice--I don't mean it for anything in particular. Your answer was here when I get back from chapel this morning. I went to see Phyllis last night--after many urgent requests. We had a rather interesting evening. Her roommate is one of the finest girls I have ever met. She is thoroughly good, through and through. How she can room with Phyllis is more than I can see. Phyllis asked me if S. Makrauer had been up here to see me and told me that when she was down at Peabody during vacation Miss Breene told her that he had been out the day before, and told her that he had just been up to Vassar for the weekend. That was a little too much for me, and I let out to her for several minutes. I think she realized now a little more than she may have before that not all Jews are in the same class, and that I am just as scrupulous about honesty, etc., as she. She said, incidentally, that Miss Breene told her that he had developed into "a fine fellow, very different from the one who left Peabody"! I enjoyed chapel very much this morning. The Rev. Rufus Jones of Haverford spoke, and her sermon was excellent. I really must go oftener next semester. They aren't all so bad. The thing that gets me is their endless prayers, and he didn't indulge so much in that. I sat in the first row, and I think that always makes paying attention a lot easier. I read my psych topic through last night and corrected the typing, etc. It is a twenty-nine single space page masterpiece. They'll either flunk me on it or give me an A, either without reading it--I am sure. I have read all the required Byron except two cantos, and I plan to do that this afternoon. (Childe Harold). We went coasting for an hour before dinner last night, down Sunset. It was great. We could go all the way down the winding path from the top of the hill to the bridge wihtou[sic] stopping. I spent two hours yesterday morning in Zo lab. I think I'll be able to finish on Tuesday. Had dinner in Josselyn last night with T. Workum. It was not particularly exciting. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-23 [1920 ?]
Text: January 23, 1919. [1920?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: One exam behind me. It was not hard, neither was it easy, and it was very long. The strain of trying to get through in time was terrible. As far as I know, I got four out of the six absolutely right, the theory right in the other two, and part of the work right in them. I did not have time to check up on thr[sic] solutions of the triangles, and that is where I made the mistakes. One girl in Miss Smith's class left early and made...
Show moreJanuary 23, 1919. [1920?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: One exam behind me. It was not hard, neither was it easy, and it was very long. The strain of trying to get through in time was terrible. As far as I know, I got four out of the six absolutely right, the theory right in the other two, and part of the work right in them. I did not have time to check up on thr[sic] solutions of the triangles, and that is where I made the mistakes. One girl in Miss Smith's class left early and made one hundred per cent on her exam. Miss Smith said so. I passed all right, and that is more than most people thing that they did, but I lost my chance of an A in the course, and it is the only course I had a chance for that in. I got about two hours' worth of fresh air in stretches yesterday. I also got quite a little work done. I rested up after lunch a bit--the exam did me up completely. I asked Miss Ells a question about the last problem. She told me it checked within two seconds. I told her I got mine to check within ninety degrees. She was very much amused. I was not. I shall now go for a walk. Nothing new to report that I know of, except that engaged sign are much in fashion and it is no longer impossible to go to sleep before ten. Miss Thallon smiled to me in the dining-room today. Don't get mad, Pete. I like to peeve you. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-23[1921]
Text: January 23, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just finished writing a very enlightening paper on Jane Austen's satire of the Gothic novel. It took two hours and a half, and is quite a masterpiece! I got up for breakfast this morning, knowing that if I didn't, I wouldn't get to work till about eleven o'clock. I then came up, read the paper, took a bath, made my bed, and proceeded to work. This reminds me of a Mark Twain diary. Jo and I wrote what we considered a...
Show moreJanuary 23, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just finished writing a very enlightening paper on Jane Austen's satire of the Gothic novel. It took two hours and a half, and is quite a masterpiece! I got up for breakfast this morning, knowing that if I didn't, I wouldn't get to work till about eleven o'clock. I then came up, read the paper, took a bath, made my bed, and proceeded to work. This reminds me of a Mark Twain diary. Jo and I wrote what we considered a very clever dialogue for Spanish tomorrow. It took us two of the other members of the honorable class, they told us that it was better Spanish than they could write but that the joke which we were developing was old as the hills. We had both heard it in French, but never in English. Apparently it is an American joke, too,--the story of a man who goes to consult a doctor because he is feeling sick. The doctor takes his temperature, pulse, etc., asks a million questions, gives him a prescription, and he tells him what he needs more than anything else is lots of exercise. He then gives a long speech on the lack of exercise in modern life. As soon as the patient can get a word edgewise, he says, "But doctor, I am a postman!" I suppose you have heard it, too. At any rate, it is not so easy, working that up cleverly in Spanish. I still have some Chem and American history to do for tomorrow, also plenty of boring, boring, boring English Speech for the written exam which comes Thursday. I am through with Ec for two weeks. I have done all my studying for the exam. It took exactly three hours. Love, Fannie I had a letter from Aunt Hattie yesterday. She didn't say much.[enc w/23 Jan 1921] O fprgpt to tell you about our debate dinner. Khaki came up late yesterday afternoon to remind about it. It is a good thing she did, or I should have forgotten about it completely. It was at Mrs. Glenn's, which is a small house two blocks from campus and which makes a specialty of serving dinner-parties. We had the dining-room, and in the room adjoining there was a party of all the Jews who were in Raymond last year. I hope their food was as good as ours! We had tomato bisque, wonderful chewable steak, mashed potatoes, peas, fruit salad, ice cream, delicious cocoanut cake, not to mention wonderful jelly rolls, olives, and celery. The funny part of the meal was that when Betty Cannon stopped for me, she said, "Oh, I forgot my pocket-book. How much do you suppose it will be? It's funny that Khaki never said anything about the price". Well, in the course of the meal, one of the girls said, to her, "Don't you wish your father could see us enjoying this food?" From which we gathered that her father was treating us, only she had neglected to tell us so. Anyhow, it was a pretty good treat that he gave and us so. Anyhow, it was a pretty good treat that he gave and a very good idea on his part it was! There were twelve at the table, including committee, team, alternates, and the senior ex-member of intercollegiate debate who helped coach us. We discussed everything from compulsory chapel to the movies, it seems to me. I was rather quiet on the latter subject, not knowing an awful lot about it. The chapel discussion arose from the fact that Shrimp Marshall, one of the members of the committee, is on Studens'[sic] Board, and apparently their meetings for the last month have discussed nothing but the poor decorum in chapel. Incidentally, not one of the twelve there approvedof compulsory chapel. Well, the interesting part of the discussion came when Betsy Strong came out with the firmly uttered conviction that she thought it was a chame on the part of the Trustees, who claim to be so broad-minded, to compel the Catholic and Jewish girls to go to chapel. Seh[sic] went on a great rate, in fact I tried to get in a word edgewise, but could not succeed. She said, among other things, that it was impossible to feel like prayingduring Prexie's prayer, when a lot of the people were gazing blankly at the ceiling, the Jewish girls, for instance. I did manage to say then that just because they did not bean forward did not indicate that that they were not praying. Incidentally, it was sort of a shallow argument, because it is pertty hard to know what other people are doing! Just then I heard Phyllis say in a very low tone, but not low enough, to her next door neighbor, "Well, I wonder what Betsy will say next, Fannie is Jewish. She must be dense" Then I started to feel amused, but before that, I was rather uncomfortable, for the simple reason that i did not know what was coming next. Soon after that, Phyllis started the conversation in another direction. Altogether, it was a very enjoyable evening and one which I will have a great deal of pleasure in remembering. I thought of Marse during the meal. Everybody was dressed up and looked nice. He always claims that there are so few pretty girls in existence. Well, I think of the twelve, eight were among the prettiest girls at college. It's too bad he didn't see the party. I wrote to him the other day.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-23
Text: January 23, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had dinner in Main yesterday noon with Helen Stern--the girl you didn't like because she had powdered her nose at the Lafayette debate, Pete--and after that we had a wonderful two hour walk out over the snow. It was wonderful going out, but dreadfully cold coming home against the wind. I then came home and tried more or less unscuccessfully[sic], to digest Childe Harold for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Do you think you'll...
Show moreJanuary 23, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had dinner in Main yesterday noon with Helen Stern--the girl you didn't like because she had powdered her nose at the Lafayette debate, Pete--and after that we had a wonderful two hour walk out over the snow. It was wonderful going out, but dreadfully cold coming home against the wind. I then came home and tried more or less unscuccessfully[sic], to digest Childe Harold for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Do you think you'll be able to come to New York after exams, Mother? What are the prospects? My exam schedule--exactly, this time--is: Friday, Jan. 27--8:20 to 10:20--Socialism Saturday, Jan 28--10:50 to 12:50-Nineteenth Century Poetry Saturday, Jan. 28--2:30 to 4:30 Psychology Thursday Feb. 2--8:20 to 10:20 French Rev. Thursday Feb. 2--2:30 to 4:30 Zoology I went to "Dark Music" last night in an effort to educate myself musically. It is very enjoyable, even if I can't remember what was played. It is the only time you can lie down in chapel. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/24/20
Text: January 24, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Three exams behind me. That is quite a little to be thankful for, but I shall not kill them Pete, as you say, rather they are killing me. I have a miserable cold, and it is miserable, sloppy weather. Everybody has colds as far as I can make out, and I was not able to shake mine off. Of course I did not do as well on the English exam as I would have without a cold in my head, but even so, as far as I can judge, I should say that it was a very...
Show moreJanuary 24, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Three exams behind me. That is quite a little to be thankful for, but I shall not kill them Pete, as you say, rather they are killing me. I have a miserable cold, and it is miserable, sloppy weather. Everybody has colds as far as I can make out, and I was not able to shake mine off. Of course I did not do as well on the English exam as I would have without a cold in my head, but even so, as far as I can judge, I should say that it was a very fair exam and I think I did pretty well on it. I studied the essay lots more thoroughly than was necessary, I should say three hours' worth more than necessary, and in addition to that I read some other essays by the same author, inasmuch as I am not trong on original ideas. There were three questions, and a choice in two. The hygiene was more of an exam than I expected it to be, but also very fair. Believe me, going from eight ten to one o'clock is no fun. I feel like the last rose of a slushy winter. Everybody at our table was kicking and thought that the English was so hard, but I could not see it at all. There must have been something the matter with me--I suppose I did not do well just because I thought it was moderately easy. It is now two o'clock. I just broke my appointment to have my hair wached--which means you will have to greet me in N. Y. with a dirty head--and now I shall go to bed and stay there until tomorrow morning. This is no weather to fool around it. I stopped in to see Miss Cowley yesterday afternoon. She had been up here after vacation, you know, and I have not had time and Sunday afternoon to go see her. She had been marking exams so I said I would not come in, but she came out in the hall and made me come in and talk to her. She said she was glad that someone came to make her stop for a while. She walked down to the steps wth me, and altogether mushed all over me. I never thought I would like that sort of stuff--Aunt Hattie is quite mistaken about her. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-24
Text: January 24, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: What do you want the philosophy for, Mother? There are two introductory courses--one Riley's history of philosophy and the other Drake's general introductory course. Which do you want? Enclosed find the name of the book for the first course. You can order it, or I will. Let me know which you want. I finished Zo lab this morning. I certainly hate to give that course up. I think I'll take the second semester next year. Did I ever...
Show moreJanuary 24, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: What do you want the philosophy for, Mother? There are two introductory courses--one Riley's history of philosophy and the other Drake's general introductory course. Which do you want? Enclosed find the name of the book for the first course. You can order it, or I will. Let me know which you want. I finished Zo lab this morning. I certainly hate to give that course up. I think I'll take the second semester next year. Did I ever mention that Dr. Treadwell gave me permission to listen to the last month of lectures on evolution? I could listen to the whole course and this get all but the lab--as no text-book is used--but I would be defeating the very purpose for which I dropped the course. Besides which, if you do that, you have to make arrangements in the dean's office and thus make it a regular course that would not be "cuttable" any more than any other course. I handed my grand and glorious psych topic--a young volume--in this morning. Had two wonderful hours of coasting yesterday afternoon down Sunset from the top. It certainly is glorious to watch and Sunset over the snow-covered hills and trees. I am going to start to study for the three fast approaching exams this afternoon. I played all last evening, like a darn fool. Love, Fannie Helen had a wire from Pauline and Edgar that they would be here from tomorrow afternoon until Thursday. Mother, what would you think of expressing my sled to me? It is not doing any one any good at home, and the three gym sleds here are always in use. I don't like to borrow the same person's all the time. The girl across from me had hers expressed from New York without even having it boxed--just tagged. Would that be possible from Pittsburgh? R. S. V. P.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/25/20
Text: January 25, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I went to bed and slept yesterday afternoon. I then got up to go to Miss Smith's tea. It is well to rub your warden the right way. After dinner some of us got a log fire in the parlor, and sat around it popping corn and reading aloud a book that I had unfortunately seen the play of before, Abraham Lincoln". Nevertheless it was very enjoyable. Today I have done nothing startling outside of dusting my room very thoroughly. You ought to...
Show moreJanuary 25, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I went to bed and slept yesterday afternoon. I then got up to go to Miss Smith's tea. It is well to rub your warden the right way. After dinner some of us got a log fire in the parlor, and sat around it popping corn and reading aloud a book that I had unfortunately seen the play of before, Abraham Lincoln". Nevertheless it was very enjoyable. Today I have done nothing startling outside of dusting my room very thoroughly. You ought to see it--it almost shines. I have a good deal of studying to do. I can take the two two. The exam is over at one, and I will order a taxi. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-25
Text: January 25, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I apologize most humbly for not writing yesterday. The only explanation I have it that I went walking fifth hour and did not get back as soon as I had expected and therefore had to hurry off to lab immediately. I did not realize until today that I had not written. I was in lab from two forty-five until five fifteen and I was some tired when I left. I cut chapel and slept during that time, then proceeded to work or quite a whil--longer than I...
Show moreJanuary 25, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I apologize most humbly for not writing yesterday. The only explanation I have it that I went walking fifth hour and did not get back as soon as I had expected and therefore had to hurry off to lab immediately. I did not realize until today that I had not written. I was in lab from two forty-five until five fifteen and I was some tired when I left. I cut chapel and slept during that time, then proceeded to work or quite a whil--longer than I wanted to. The debate clipping interested me very much, Lester. According to that, I shall come either officially or unofficially. Tryouts are very soon after exams. I am starting to appreciate Miss Salmon now. I guess I am glad that I am not dropping the course. She certainly has interested me a lot more since Christmas than she did before. Our work for today was to make out an exam, with a preface indicating what we thought the aim of a good exam paper should be. My paper took me an hour and a half to compose. It was a cork-er--I only hope that she doesn't give us back our own papers to answer as an exam! We all had decided that it would be just like her to do that, and that we would therefore make out as easy papers as possible. We felt sure, at any rate, that she would get ideas from our papers. So when she asked me this morning what her purpose in having us make out these papers had been I could hardly keep a straight face--it would have been very impolitic to say what I thought! My exam studying is one now. I am not cramming, but I have plenty to do. The contents of the laundry-case were very good, Mother. A little of that is all that is good for me face, but my neighbors think they are very good. Helen says, "Wasn't that nice of your Mother to get those there--now Dick can stay at college a day longer!" The only other news I have is that I need a new typewriter ribbon and that the Albert Shop are out of sweaters, but will have them again the middle of this week. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/26/20
Text: January 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in...
Show moreJanuary 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in it. I then asked her about my doctor's excuse, and she said I would have to speak to Dr. T., that she would let me go if she thought it was wise. Miss Smith was very nice about it. I shall go over now and see what is doing. Just when i had finished talking to Miss S. I got a telegram from Aunt Bessie saying that you called up on Sunday saying I was to come there Wednesday, when and where should she meet me? I will have to telegraph her as soon as I know. I got a letter from Jeanette today, in which she gave me freshman encouragement. In accordance with the ancient Vassar custom we collected our freshman flock in the soap palace and marched down to Taylor Hall and around to Rockie chanting a Latin dirge, prior to taking the exam, only in our case it consisten of "Veni, vidi, mortua sum". The exam was not particularly hard, but quite long. There was a sight passage, a prose passage, and a prepared translation passage. My head was quite clogged up. I still have some French to do and quite a little history. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/26/20
Text: January 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in...
Show moreJanuary 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in it. I then asked her about my doctor's excuse, and she said I would have to speak to Dr. T., that she would let me go if she thought it was wise. Miss Smith was very nice about it. I shall go over now and see what is doing. Just when i had finished talking to Miss S. I got a telegram from Aunt Bessie saying that you called up on Sunday saying I was to come there Wednesday, when and where should she meet me? I will have to telegraph her as soon as I know. I got a letter from Jeanette today, in which she gave me freshman encouragement. In accordance with the ancient Vassar custom we collected our freshman flock in the soap palace and marched down to Taylor Hall and around to Rockie chanting a Latin dirge, prior to taking the exam, only in our case it consisten of "Veni, vidi, mortua sum". The exam was not particularly hard, but quite long. There was a sight passage, a prose passage, and a prepared translation passage. My head was quite clogged up. I still have some French to do and quite a little history. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-26
Text: January 26, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have not time to write much, as I must hurry back to the libe. There is a great rush on English Speech books today, inasmuch as the exam is tomorrow, and I have one promised to me for five minutes from now. Only one more class before exams. We were allowed to ask questions to our hearts' content today in Spanish, chem, and Ec. More tomorrow. Fannie

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-27 [?]
Text: [27 Jan 1923?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is with a feeling of extreme joy and satisfaction that I just now took out of my notebook my notes for three courses and put them away! The rush is over now. I shall spend most of tomorrow getting my Tolerance report into shape, and then spend Monday studying for Renaissance. I put the call in for you because I felt guilty for having written such fragmentary notes all this week. It's funny that you got the same idea at the same time. Did...
Show more[27 Jan 1923?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is with a feeling of extreme joy and satisfaction that I just now took out of my notebook my notes for three courses and put them away! The rush is over now. I shall spend most of tomorrow getting my Tolerance report into shape, and then spend Monday studying for Renaissance. I put the call in for you because I felt guilty for having written such fragmentary notes all this week. It's funny that you got the same idea at the same time. Did you get my seat for Atlantic. R. S. V. P. I'm sorry I said I would like to go to theater. Suppose you return the tickets. I shall be tired and Mother, no doubt. It would do you good to get [to bed] before midnight for once. I shall be perfectly content just to talk to you. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/27/20
Text: [Addressed to mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] January 27, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After I wrote to you yesterday afternoon I paid my customary call at the doctor's office, and asked Dr. B. if there was any chance of being allowed to go to N. Y. for my treatment, that Miss Smith had sent me to her to find out. She said, no, not unless I did not want to come back to college. Finally, she said she would give me permission to go and come back immediately, if it was absolutely...
Show more[Addressed to mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] January 27, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After I wrote to you yesterday afternoon I paid my customary call at the doctor's office, and asked Dr. B. if there was any chance of being allowed to go to N. Y. for my treatment, that Miss Smith had sent me to her to find out. She said, no, not unless I did not want to come back to college. Finally, she said she would give me permission to go and come back immediately, if it was absolutely necessary, but she did not advise it al all. She seemed thouroughly convinced I would come back with flu. she then decided that I should communicate with Dr. F. and if he thought it was important enough, then after listening to Dr. T, expound in chapel, i should go to Dr. T for permission. So I proceeded to call Aunt Bessie by long distance. I told her to tell the doctor all the particulars, and telegraph me his answerso that I would have it before chapel. The answer came from Dr. F. himself, "Get permit to keep appointment with me on Thursday". I met Helen and Duffie on my way back from McGlynn's at five fourty-five and they induced me to go off campus with them. Considering that it was the first time since October and that I was hungry as a bear and the porspect of a good meal appealed to me, I went and enjoyed it immensely, but for some strange reason I just got back in time to have the chapel doors closed on me. I had the cut to spare, but I wanted to hear what Dr. T. had to say. Instead I got the information from several others. She urged and begged that we should not leave college, and after she urged a while, she said that permission would not be granted except in very urgent cases. As far as I have made out today, the wardens will absolutely not grant them without first sending the girls to the doctor. I went to Dr. T. last night, and she said my warden had full charge. The telegram from the doctor did the work with Miss Smith and I got permission to go for the day on Thursday. There was much excitement last night, and the messenger room was jammed. I sent you a night letter, and I expect an answer today. I wrote to Aunt Bessie. There will be plenty of doing to make life interesting. There will be a good lecture, and there will be the ice carnival that had to be postponed last week on account of bad weather. The French exam was what is known as comprehensive. The first question was, "What was the influence of the salons on the seventeenth century novel? and the second question was, "Outline the development of the novel in the eighteenth century, giving tendencies of the important works of each novelist". I could have worded it one better, "Write all you have learned this semester". I have to study hard for the history exam now. I shall try my best to have the station reserve a parlor car seat for me for Thursday morning. We are not allowed to town.Mrs. Marcus Aaron, Mr. Phillip Hamburger, Hotel Royal Poinciana, Palm Beach, Florida.P. 0. Box 882, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-29
Text: January 29, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly owe you an apology for the lack of letters, but I have had a terrible rush. However, I will answer all the accumulated questions and make up by writing a lengthy letter now. Thanks for your good wished, Pete, that I should hit the exams cold. I think they hit me cold, instead. I decided that I always study as much, so this year, I didn't really start till Thursday. But then it didn't change matters any, because I succeeded...
Show moreJanuary 29, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly owe you an apology for the lack of letters, but I have had a terrible rush. However, I will answer all the accumulated questions and make up by writing a lengthy letter now. Thanks for your good wished, Pete, that I should hit the exams cold. I think they hit me cold, instead. I decided that I always study as much, so this year, I didn't really start till Thursday. But then it didn't change matters any, because I succeeded in getting myself panic-y, by merely seeing others studying a lot more. I studied about six hours for Socialism, six for Psych, and a few here and there for J. I'll send you the exams. Please send them to Psych was very easy, much easier than the one given last year; J was merely an essay that required an unusual amout of thinking and cencentration; and Socialism was moderately hard, at least I messed it up considerably and did not leave enough time for the last question. I couldn't say in seven minutes very satisfactorily why I am not a Socialist. Is Elisabeth coming back for good or just so that you can go away? I think you might as well send the white dress in the laundry if you think it is safe to do so. I plan to go away Prom weekend, as I don't want to stay up here and not go. But I might want the dress and it will be of more use to me up here than at home. Send a dress-slip along with it, so that I can put it away all right. I don't know what you said I didn't answer about the trains. I wrote to you that I would leave here on the five-thirty, getting in at seven-thirty. My exam is not over until four-thirty. There is also a six-fifty-four that gets in at eight-forty-five. I am glad you are planning to take a day-trip instead of tiring yourself out on the sleeper. I think I heard Mr. Ratcliffe here last year on India. At least I am quite sure that he spoke here and that I wanted to go, and if I didn't it must have been because of some conflicting engagement or class. The faculty play last night, or plays, to be exact, were excellent. It certainly is a circus to see faculty come off their dignity. And Prexie as the hero of a musical comedy was perfect. Miss Cowley was also very good. Send Pete the programs, then return. My Peabody class-mate was elected class secretary the other day, not withstanding my vote for her opponents. Jane and I spared ourselves a port dinner this noon and went to the Inn. Pork and onions are too much for me, particularly when i am very hungry as a result of sleeping through dinner. I slept till a quarter to ten, and went to chapel. The Rev. Charles Jefferson was anything but interesting. [Love, Fannie (??? ??? ???)]Metcalf was not all that it might have been. Dr. T. lives there, you know, only she was away when I was there Freshman year. She has a voice that would arouse the dead, and she seemed to be talking all the time. And they gave me regular campus food this time, so I guess I did not find what I expected. But I was away from the howling excited mob during the three exams, and that is something. Dr. T. told me if I was leaving Saturday I had to pull out in the morning, as they wanted to give the room to someone. So I was there three nights and two days. I did put in some good sleeping. Your Lehman-May information certainly did amaze me, although when Helen heard the dope from home, she led me to wonder why Mrs. L. didn't turn her steps toward Reno a long time ago. But still I can't hand Mr. May anything. He must be bult of stone. One used to hear about the sacredness and beauty of the Jewish home. What was the Dr Sanes note about--a check for the operation, or what? Thank you for expressing the sled. There is skating, but the ice has been very choppy. Besides which, I am a much more proficient coaster than skater. My ankles are terrible. We want walking in the snow-storm after the psych exam yesterday. It was marvelous. Jeannette invited me for exam-week-end. Don't you think we ought to have her for dinner something the week-end, Mother? You asked for the occasion of Pauline's visit. They were coming to New York on the way home, and decided that they would like to visit Helen. So they wired her, and she wired not to come after Wednesday, on account of exams. They came Wednesday after-noon and staid till Thursday noon. She had three exams before Saturday noon! They certainly are a bright couple! He made a better impression on me than he ever did before, but even that is a very indirect compliment. He has the funniest idea of humor that I ever saw, and Paulne certainly has no intellectual aspirations. She didn't see why we should study for exams--"You should worry about exams"--as though things like that weren't worth bothering about. I felt like telling her that in the absence of a husband to occupy my attention, I considered my courses worth some thought, but I refrained, and wisely concluded to myself that she can have her ideas of what is worth while and I will keep mine. She started telling me about Ruth's wedding. She said, "I'll tell you, it wasn't the way a wedding should be--it was awfully quiet, and there was hardly any liquor"! So I guess hers was quite "the way a wedding should be"--by her standard of judgment. I think I have answered all your questions. Helen wired her mother yesterday becasuse she had not written for quite a while, and told her to call you up. I thought you might be worried because I had been writing cards for so long. In addition to studying very hard I did not have my typewriter in Metcalf and did not have time to write letters by hand. I know now why I hate exams so--I am so lazy that the thought of writing hard for two hours by hand just appals me. If I could only take my little Coronai.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/31/20
Text: January 31, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the honor to announce, with very cold fingers, a temperature of eleven degrees below zero, with a very sharp wind in addition. Such being the case, I had no difficulty in cancelling my engagement to go coasting. I saw no point in getting frost-bitten feet or noses. I slept till about eight this morning, and then spent at least a half hour trying to get up the courage to get out of bed. Did you say it is hot in Palm Beach, Mother? I am...
Show moreJanuary 31, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the honor to announce, with very cold fingers, a temperature of eleven degrees below zero, with a very sharp wind in addition. Such being the case, I had no difficulty in cancelling my engagement to go coasting. I saw no point in getting frost-bitten feet or noses. I slept till about eight this morning, and then spent at least a half hour trying to get up the courage to get out of bed. Did you say it is hot in Palm Beach, Mother? I am going to do all my cleaning up and straightening up this morning! Some of us walked down to watch the ice carnical last night. It was at Spring Lake in Arlington. It was not particularly interesting, as it was not the real thing. Only about a third of those skating wore white, they did not have a band, and they had every-day electrick lights, not colored ones. After coming back, one of my class whome I met came up here with me and stayed till about nine-thirty. I then went to bed, and here I am. I am enclosing the letter which I suppose Mother expected to reach you here. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-07 [1921]
Text: January 7, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You will be pleased to know that my trunk has arrived. I suppose the typewriter interests you more than the trunk, though. I cannot say that getting back to work has been a particularly agreeable sensation. I don't know what it is that I don't like--perhpas[sic] I miss Moses, Father. We are having a regular Vassar snowstorm today. I intend to go walking in it next hour. I had planned to read this afternoon, but Helen came down...
Show moreJanuary 7, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You will be pleased to know that my trunk has arrived. I suppose the typewriter interests you more than the trunk, though. I cannot say that getting back to work has been a particularly agreeable sensation. I don't know what it is that I don't like--perhpas[sic] I miss Moses, Father. We are having a regular Vassar snowstorm today. I intend to go walking in it next hour. I had planned to read this afternoon, but Helen came down in great distress to get me to hlep[sic] her with her trig. She certainly doesn't know enough about it to hurt her. I think she ought to tutor. She thinks so, too, but she cannot find anybody to tutor her and she won't go to Pap White and ask him whom to have. I spent an hour trying to help her. If it only got her somewhere I wouldn't mind giving up the time, but when I have finished she never knows anymore than when I start. Our history class this morning was the most interesting have had all year. We had a town meeting a month after the passing of the Stamp Act. Everyboday was free to talk. I did a goodly share of it, and had a very good time. I took the Tory point of view, just for diversion. I am afraid debating has taught me to argue against my personal conviction. I am handing in my elections today. I think I shall go on with history. My reason for deciding is principally that you just get your start in the first semester and therefore lose a lot by dropping the course in the middle of the year. If I want Russian History, which I really think must be very interesting, (in spite of your prejudice, Father) I can take it next year. I am going to have some tall eliminating to do the next two years in the way of desierable courses. There is more than two years' worth of courses that I want to take before I graduate. The only letter I got today was a baby letter from you, Father. I got a C on that Chem written we had before vacation. It distressed me terribly--in fact I had the next thing to nightmare over it in my sleep last night. Really, chemistry makes my young life quite miserable. I did the best I could on it--I don't know what is the matter with me. There were several A's and some B's, also quite a lot lower than mine. B would satisfy me, but C worries me. I am afriad[sic] that there will be no more XYZ keys in the Aaron family unless Marse should get one. Love, Fannie
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