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〃It is at your disposal。 Are you wanting me to take some orphans for a ride？〃
〃Just one who's sufferin' from a nervous system。 She's taken a fixed idea that she must get to the top o' the hills。〃
〃My car is a grand climber。 In fifteen minutes〃
〃Wait！〃 said I。 〃Bring with ye a frying pan that's a decent size for two。 There's nothing in my kitchen smaller than a cart wheel。 And ask Mrs。 McGurk can ye stay out for supper。〃
So I packed in a basket a jar of bacon and some eggs and muffins and ginger cookies； with hot coffee in the thermos bottle； and was waiting on the steps when Sandy chugged up with his automobile and frying pan。
We really had a beautiful adventure； and he enjoyed the sensation of running away exactly as much as I。 Not once did I let him mention insanity。 I made him look at the wide stretches of meadow and the lines of pollard willows backed by billowing hills； and sniff the air； and listen to the cawing crows and the tinkle of cowbells and the gurgling of the river。 And we talkedoh； about a million things far removed from our asylum。 I made him throw away the idea that he is a scientist； and pretend to be a boy。 You will scarcely credit the assertion； but he succeededmore or less。 He did pull off one or two really boyish pranks。 Sandy is not yet out of his thirties and； mercy！ that is too early to be grown up。
We camped on a bluff overlooking our view； gathered some driftwood； built a fire； and cooked the NICEST suppera sprinkling of burnt stick in our fried eggs； but charcoal's healthy。 Then； when Sandy had finished his pipe and 〃the sun was setting in its wonted west；〃 we packed up and coasted back home。
He says it was the nicest afternoon he has had in years； and； poor deluded man of science； I actually believe it's true。 His olive green home is so uncomfortable and dreary and uninspiring that I don't wonder he drowns his troubles in books。 Just as soon as I can find a nice comfortable house mother to put in charge； I am going to plot for the dismissal of Maggie McGurk； though I foresee that she will be even harder than Sterry to pry from her moorings。
Please don't draw the conclusion that I am becoming unduly interested in our bad…tempered doctor； for I'm not。 It's just that he leads such a comfortless life that I sometimes long to pat him on the head and tell him to cheer up； the world's full of sunshine； and some of it's for himjust as I long to comfort my hundred and seven orphans； so much and no more。
I am sure that I had some real news to tell you； but it has completely gone out of my head。 The rush of fresh air has made me sleepy。 It's half…past nine； and I bid you good night。
S。
P。S。 Gordon Hallock has evaporated into thin air。 Not a word for three weeks； no candy or stuffed animals or tokimentoes of any description。 What on earth do you suppose has become of that attentive young man？
July 13。 Dearest Judy：
Hark to the glad tidings！
This being the thirty…first day of Punch's month； I telephoned to his two patronesses； as nominated in the bond； to arrange for his return。 I was met by an indignant refusal。 Give up their sweet little volcano just as they are getting it trained not to belch forth fire？ They are outraged that I can make such an ungrateful request。 Punch has accepted their invitation to spend the summer。
The dressmaking is still going on。 You should hear the machines whir and the tongues clatter in the sewing room。 Our most cowed； apathetic； spiritless little orphan cheers up and takes an interest in life when she hears that she is to possess three perfectly private dresses of her own； and each a different color； chosen by herself。 And you should see how it encourages their sewing ability。 Even the little ten…year…olds are bursting into seamstresses。 I wish I could devise an equally effective way to make them take an interest in cooking。 But our kitchen is extremely uneducative。 You know how hampering it is to one's enthusiasm to have to prepare a bushel of potatoes at once。
I think you've heard me mention the fact that I should like to divide up my kiddies into ten nice little families； with a nice comfortable house mother over each？ If we just had ten picturesque cottages to put them in； with flowers in the front yard and rabbits and kittens and puppies and chickens in the back； we should be a perfectly presentable institution； and wouldn't be ashamed to have these charity experts come visiting us。
Thursday。
I started this letter three days ago； was interrupted to talk to a potential philanthropist （fifty tickets to the circus）； and have not had time to pick up my pen since。 Betsy has been in Philadelphia for three days； being a bridesmaid for a miserable cousin。 I hope that no more of her family are thinking of getting married； for it's most upsetting to the J。 G。 H。
While there； she investigated a family who had applied for a child。 Of course we haven't a proper investigating plant； but once in a while； when a family drops right into our arms； we do like to put the business through。 As a usual thing； we work with the State Charities' Aid Association。 They have a lot of trained agents traveling about the State； keeping in touch with families who are willing to take children； and with asylums that have them to give。 Since they are willing to work for us； there is no slightest use in our going to the expense of peddling our own babies。 And I do want to place out as many as are available； for I firmly believe that a private home is the best thing for the child； provided； of course； that we are very fussy about the character of the homes we choose。 I don't require rich foster parents； but I do require kind； loving； intelligent parents。 This time I think Betsy has landed a gem of a family。 The child is not yet delivered or the papers signed； and of course there is always danger that they may give a sudden flop； and splash back into the water。
Ask Jervis if he ever heard of J。 F。 Bretland of Philadelphia。 He seems to move in financial circles。 The first I ever heard of him was a letter addressed to the 〃Supt。 John Grier Home； Dear Sir；〃a curt； typewritten； businesslike letter； from an AWFULLY businesslike lawyer； saying that his wife had determined to adopt a baby girl of attractive appearance and good health between the ages of two and three years。 The child must be an orphan of American stock； with unimpeachable heredity； and no relatives to interfere。 Could I furnish one as required and oblige； yours truly； J。 F。 Bretland？
By way of reference he mentioned 〃Bradstreets。〃 Did you ever hear of anything so funny？ You would think he was opening a charge account at a nursery； and inclosing an order from our seed catalogue。
We began our usual investigation by mailing a reference blank to a clergyman in Germantown； where the J。 F。 B。's reside。
Does he own any property？
Does he pay his bills？
Is he kind to animals？
Does he attend church？
Does he quarrel with his wife？ And a dozen other impertinent questions。