Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

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[typed] hot, we indulged in some sherbet as "Rices". Friday, I got my Andersen examination paper back, without any very serious corrections. Charlotte Phillips wrote a splendid paper and was very much and very justly lauded by Prof. Andersen. Another time I hope I'll not be so overcome by trepidition as to do myself so little justice. At noon I found Marguerite sitting in our room just where you had sat a week before. She had been waiting only a few minutes but had made herself very much at home in the meantime. She was looking very well in a pale green wool gown, and had laid a very stylish rough jacket and navy blue hat to match on the bed. Her first words were reproaches at not having been warned of your call. She regretted so not seeing you. The afternoon and evening we spent visiting, and the next morning (Saturday) we both took the eight-thirty train to the city. I took back my unsatisfactory hat, and found Mrs. Coughlin all "nods and becks (?) and wreathed smiles" - she showed me about a dozen of her choicest hats, and finally I decided upon a felt with beautiful cock feathers and rich crown. she put some of the black and white ribbon on it and a black and white aiggrette and made it a bit dressier. The result is a hat suitable for the street or evening, of more value that the first and for the same money. I see material in it for hats to come in future generations. Then we went to Mrs. O'Strandrs and I had a fitting. Afterwards we took my cape to be mended and Theodora's plate for another hundred cards, and reached the "Oliver" in time for luncheon. We found Mrs. Stabler and Kate very well. Mrs. S. so delighted at seeing you and Kate so disappointed at missing you. After luncheon we rested, and the Kate and I made another visit to Mrs. O'Stranders and I had a second fitting, very satisfactory as I had a glimpse of how lovely it is going to be when it is done. We had a glimpse of the lovely things in Vickery's window which was a pleasure in itself. I missed not having anyone to get a bunch of violets.for, but then we afterward of a million of people but I had already spent my

[written] Rose March 15 '96 p. 5

[typed] My dearest Nannie--

I simply can't remember the last time I wrote, Theodora reminds me that I must begin away back before the suit. She is just getting into her little pink wrapper & says "tell Nannie how much I love it", it is just right in dimensions & so becoming. Of course the day of the suit was the greatest day in the year & perhaps in the history of the University. I can't begin to describe it but will send you a copy of the red letter Sequoia that tells the story better than I could. I haven't done much toward making up back work, as it is rather a gradual process, & study has been very interrupted by holidays & committees etc. We had two days vacation at the news of the decision of the suit, and since then Founders Day. As for committees--Mr. Heme being '97 class president has put me on the Junior Farce committee which meant five farces to read & pass judgment upon, also upon the decoration committee for the Junior Promenade & cordially invited my attendance at his reception committee meetings, but the last honor I declined. The students are also getting up a comic opera--"Said Pasha" in which Laura Marm takes the leading part as queen, which she fills admirably with her sweet voice & pretty face. I lead the chorus and am shocked to find that it is to be given on the 3rd & 4th of April which is Good Friday. I don't know what I can do as it is billed for that night & I don't know whether I can withdraw from my part. I haven't observed lent in any but a very accidental way. It is out of the question to deny oneself anything in the food line as it is all we can do to live on what you do get, let alone going without anything, and as far as dances are concerned, my conscience doesn't hurt me a bit in having a good time when it comes to me if I can afford it. While I had my little sick spell, Grace Clack, Laura, Gertrude Macintosh, Charlotte Phillips & Miriam Maclaren got up a beautiful little party, rather Mrs. Macintosh gave it & we girls received. She had a professional decorator and waiters and threw open her house, & I never had such a good good time in my life, nor saw a party go off so well. The next thing was the Sophomore Cotillion--Grace Clark & Stuart Cotton lead. I was so unfortunate as to have two invitations that I didn't want to accept before the one that I did want to accept. So I had to stay home on that account. But the Junior is to be very fine. I was disappointed a little over the Sophomore but not much. We have had a most lively winter--at one time very, very cold with snow way down in the foothills & the rest of the time like spring weather, the poppies are out in abundance and a sprinkling of buttercups and johny-jump-ups. For the most part it has been so warm that heavy clothing is uncomfortable. Theodora & I both heard Paderweski. She heard him in San Francisco when I was ill & I in San Jose when he gave a concert under the auspices of the student body and the tickets were only two dollars. I am ever so much better than I have been all term, the rest doing me so much good: am quite regular in every respect & eat much religiously every morning, the board isn't so very bad. I saw Mrs. Dunn yesterday & she inquired about you. Mrs. Teggart had a little girl arrive in her family last February. She asked Anna Kohler & me to take tea with her soon and I am anxious to. Friday, Theodora & I were surprised to find Mrs. Howard & Miss Howard to see us last Friday. They are people we met at Mrs. Mynicks and that we didn't like much. Miss Howard is thinking of taking a course here till the end of the year. Next week is the last before the spring vacation which begins Mar.21 & lasts a week. We have made no plans yet I think I shall stay here & work on my Milton thesis. I have the last fourteen years of his life to work on. I inquired of the Beedy's about Cousin John & they said he [written:]was at a comfortable institution [typed:]at Westminister.

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[typed] March 24 '96 Roble Hall

My dearest Nannie--

Your letter came to-night and I simply can't go to bed before I write you even though it be on theme paper. You poor dear Nannie, I am so sorry we have been so bad about writing, there is no excuse for such naughtiness, and I am resolved never to do so again. We are having our weeks vacation now. Theodora has gone to San Jose for a day or two to see about affairs there, and I had decided to stay here, as I had my vacation a while ago, and have not been doing my heavy work all term. I shall probably go down to Mrs.Myncks for a change before the week is up. I find this a gay place in vacation time. There have been two dances already, and tennis to-morrow. The first--the dear divinity has very successfully figured at, and me for itself many compliments, thanks to its sweetmaker. Gradually I am making up what I missed when absent, had a very easy examination in W.Rev. under Dr. Howard last Friday in which I aspire to my sisters standard of 95o/o , Am now, working on a thesis for Prof. Anderson, on the last fourteen years of Milton's life in connection with the Restoration. This place is perfectly beautiful now, the fields are a cloak of gold, and the foliage of the vales so dainty and new, with the balmiest of weather to throw a haze over everything-- ! My Lenten dilema is over, as Said Pasha is postponed till after Easter, a week after the opera comes Junior day, which is going to be the finest day on record, farce in the morning in which Laura, Charlotte Phillips and I figure in one scene only, not being principal performers; In the evening is the Junior promenade which your niece is to lead with Mr. Herme--think of it, and in my same little organdy that Theodora brought from the Islands. There is to be a very fine edition of the Sequoia--the Stanford weekly, for which I have been asked to contribute a best effort, and for the illustrations for its center picture I am to pose. I am surprised at this req uest as I have never written anything that anybody ever heard of. As for the pose the face is not knowable when published, so I don't mind. My shirt waists have quite unexpectedly failed me, and I find I have but three to finish the term with, the winter has been so warm, that I have worn shirt waists entirely. Theordora has given me her three lovely pieces--two pink ones & one blue one and is going to see what Mrs.Brown a very good seamstress will make them for, as I simply must have them, and it is impossible to do any such thing oneself here. We are looking forward to keeping house this vacation, and then the sewing I am going to do! Without buying a single new thing but using the materials we have. Last week we mailed a transferancy, hoping it will be a reminder of the dear old quadrangle, and I do hope it will reach you safely and in time; we have not been able to get a frame for it in San Francisco, someone[written] suggested a ribbon frame as a substitute but did not know that you would like it. I think I could write to my Nannie, all night, but the lights are going out.

They are gone

Bye bye till morning--

Toodles