daddy long legs

Chapter 38

Dear Daddy Long Legs:
God!New York is so big.Worcester is nothing compared to it.Tell me, do you really live in such a noisy, crowded city?I only stayed for two days, but I'm afraid it will take months to recover.I don't know how to describe to you what I've seen.But I guess you know, because you live here.

Those streets are really interesting, aren't they?And the crowd?shop?There are so many beautiful things in the window that I can't wear them all in a lifetime.

We go shopping together on Saturday morning.Julia took us to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life, white and gold walls, blue carpets, velvet curtains and gilt chairs.A beautiful blond lady in a black silk floor-length dress greeted us with a smile.I thought we were on a social call and went to shake her hand, but we were just buying hats, at least Julia was going to buy hats.She sat down before the mirror, and after trying on a dozen hats, each more beautiful than the other, she chose the two most beautiful.I can't imagine what could be happier than sitting in front of a fitting mirror and buying any hat you like without thinking about its price.

After we finished our shopping, we met Master Jervie at the Shirley's.I think you must have been to the Shirley Hotel?If you compare it to the dining room of an orphanage, you can imagine how I feel.The dining room of the orphanage consisted of oilcloth-covered tables, unbreakable white earthenware plates, and wooden cutlery.

When eating fish, I used the wrong fork and the kind waiter gave me another one, thankfully no one noticed.After lunch we headed to the theater - it was so resplendent I couldn't believe I was in it - a place I dream about every night.

Shakespeare is amazing!

On stage, Hamlet is so much better than what we learned, I would have loved it, and now, oh my god!
If you don't mind, I want to act instead of being a writer.Shall I transfer to drama school?I'll reserve a box for you at the show and greet you with a smile from the stage.Please pin a red rose on your coat so I can be sure I'm not mistaken.It would be embarrassing if I got it wrong.

We go back to school on Saturday night.At dinner on the train, there are pink lamps on the table and a black waiter.I never knew that meals were served on the train before, so I said it inadvertently.

"My God, where the hell did you live?" Julia asked me.

"A small village," I whispered back to Julia.

"Have you never traveled?" she asked me.

"Not before I went to college, and besides, my hometown is only 160 miles away from the school, so I don't need to eat." I answered her like this.

Because my words were ridiculous, she became curious about me.In fact, I am very careful on weekdays, but I can't help blurting out when encountering new things, and I often make a fuss.It was a strange feeling, a disorienting feeling to suddenly be in this "world" after 18 years at the John Gorier Orphanage.

But now, I've gotten used to it, I don't make as many mistakes as before, and I don't feel overwhelmed even when I'm with other girls.I used to feel uncomfortable when people looked at me, as if they could see through my fake new clothes and know they were gingham.I don't worry about gingham anymore, and I don't worry about yesterday.

I forgot to tell you that we received flowers.Master Jervie sent everyone a bunch of violets and lilies of the valley.He's such a nice guy, isn't he?I've always had a bad opinion of men - based on my opinion of the trustees - and that impression is changing.

Already wrote 11 pages, too long.Don't worry, I'm leaving it at that.

your forever judy
4/7

(End of this chapter)