Monday, August 18, 2008

DADDY LONG LEGS: Ship Ahoy, Cap'n Long-Legs!

Avast! Belay! Yo, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum. Guess what I'm reading? Our conversation these past two days has been nautical and piratical. Isn't Treasure Island fun? Did you ever read it, or wasn't it written when you were a boy? Stevenson only got thirty pounds for the serial rights--I don't believe it pays to be a great author. Maybe I'll be a school-teacher.
Excuse me for filling my letters so full of Stevenson; my
mind
is very much engaged with him at present. He comprises Lock Willow's library.
I've been writing this letter for two weeks, and I
think it's about long enough. Never say, Daddy, that I don't give details. I wish you were here, too; we'd all have such a jolly time together. I like my different friends to know each other. I wanted to ask Mr. Pendleton if he knew you in New York--I should think he might; you must move in about the same exalted social circles, and you are both interested in reforms and things--but I couldn't, for I don't know your real
name.
It's the silliest thing I ever
heard of, not to know your name. Mrs. Lippett warned me that you were eccentric. I should think
so!
Affectionately,
Judy
PS. On reading this over, I find that it isn't all Stevenson.
There are one or two glancing references to Master Jervie.

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