daddy long legs

Chapter 67

Dear Daddy Long Legs:
Out the window was a beautiful view - a beautiful ocean, to be exact - nothing but waves and rocks.

Summer is passing.I spent the morning teaching those two stupid girls Latin, English, and algebra.I really can't figure out how Marion can get into college, and even if she does, how can she continue to study.As for Florence, it was even more hopeless—but they were all beauties.It's just that their beauty has nothing to do with their stupidity, and it doesn't matter if they're stupid or not, as long as they're lucky enough to marry a stupid man, otherwise their dull talk will bore men.They'll probably marry stupid men, though, because the world is full of stupid people, and I've seen a lot of them this summer.

In the afternoon, we walk on the beach and swim if the tide is not high.Now I can swim in salt water with ease - and you see, my education is finally coming in handy.

Mr. Jervie Pingleton sent a letter from Paris, brief and forceful.He is still angry to this day because I did not listen to his advice.However, if he would come back in time, he would meet me at Rock Willow before the university classes began, and if I was good and obedient, he would consider pardoning me (I was impressed by his letter).

There was another letter from Sally.She invited me to play at their club on the mountain for two weeks in September.Should I ask for your advice or can I just go where I want?Of course I can, I believe I can - I'm already a senior.Moreover, after working all summer, I feel that I should also take a break.I'm going to go hiking and see Sally and her brother - he's going to take me paddling.Also (and this is the main reason, I'm a bad boy), when I was going to get Master Jervie to arrive at Rockwillow, I suddenly found that I was not there.

I must make him understand that he has no right to order me.No one can tell me what to do but you - but you can't always do it!I'm going off, into the woods.

8/19

(End of this chapter)