Sunday night
April 24
Dearest Betty,
This is just a note so you can’t say you haven’t had a letter from me.- The reason it will be just a note is because I’ve just written a long letter home and you’ll get that and there’s nothing left to write.
So you’re a real honest-to-goodness Alpha Chi now! Ain’t it grand. And didn’t you love the ceremony and banquet and everything. Awfully glad Faythe was there-why is she so thin, and
Meadie. Isn’t Meadie wonderful. She takes the part of Admite the best of anyone I know unless its Dot Oakley.
You certainly weren’t forgotten when you were sick-I never heard of so much stuff. Must have been kind of fun. I wonder if you’ve got the yarn for your sweater yet. I’d suggest white instead of green to wear with the hat. Wouldn’t a green sweater be too much. You could wear a green ribbon and cute ruffling around neck and sleeves on a white one.
What did you think of your first chapter meeting? Don’t you like the grip circle at the end. How did the Freshman Vespers come out? Fanny Rouch sounds nice. How about the lawn fete.
Did I tell you I should think you’d invite “Bob” (or I guess that isn’t his name) to our formal since he took you to his and then invite Chester down for one of the other kids and get him a real cute one. It would be awfully nice to have him down. Made a dress Sat and you’ll see it in mother’s letter .
Govingly in T-T Mary Ann
Editor's notes
There are a few comments in the letter I don’t understand—but I transcribe ‘em as I see “em. I don’t know what Admite refers to. When she mentions Bob, Betty’s soon to be fiancé-I don’t understand who Chester is. Also “Bob”s name is “Bud” I’ve mentioned before that the family uses the word “kid” to mean friends or peers of the 20 year olds. And I don’t understand the ending to the letter and the word “Govingly.” I note that MArion signs the letter "Mary Ann" This must be some inside joke.
This letter reminds me that it is the custom and habit of this family to pass letters to each other. John sends home letters he’s gotten from Marion. Sue sends on letters she receives to Betty. I wonder if this was a common practice, just as today we might forward and email. I suspect so. After all it takes a lot more effort to write and send a letter than a text or email (or transcribing old family letters!)
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John has excellent handwriting. However, in some instances, I cant decipher it. If I can't, I simply mark the spot with "xxx"s to signify thank the word isn't decipherable.
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