Late November 1918

Dear Don,

I am going to try and get a line written to you so you'll get it by Thanksgiving. I'm so stuffed up with pancakes I can hardly see. I'm sitting down at the club writing. I guess I told you the School Board rented the Lobby, Dining Room & Kitchen of the Hotel and we are running in fine order now. We have a dandy little cook and a peach of a second girl and I hardly have anything thing to worry about. I plan all the meals, do all the ordering and am general overseer.

The Lobby here is fitted up with wicker furniture and a couple of mission and leather rocks, library table and rug.

One of the girls and I are going skating - first I've been but I feel I must get out and regain my youth. Gee I hope I never get too old to skate and dance.

Edythe writes to me every day. Gee I miss her and she's been grand to write me. The influenza sure left bunged up a bit. The sciatic nerves in her legs are effected and she has to ride around in a wheel chair. She said the Doctor said in a week or ten days she'd be able to come back, but I don't think she should try until Jan. 1. I have promised to room with her if she comes back. Her mother says she has so much confidence in me. Its queer that I should have grown to like a person so well. Don't worry about me, that's my disposition to Rid (?) them all and I get along fine but underneath it all - people become tiresome. They knock and aren't sincere and where it comes to a show down to do something for somebody there are might few who care to do anything without something in return. Edythe would go ahead and do things for me - make things and help me out so much and she never inquired about anyone's business. Wasn't a bit gossipy She depended on me for advice and really thot I was quite worth while.

It was the queerest thing - I knew she wasn't the shockable kind but somehow I never would say things to her like I do some girls. When the girls would smoke cigarettes I'd never let her do it - for she is more or less easily influence and I felt I could help her. I really have the same feeling toward her I think I would Betty when she grows up.

Gosh you know - it worries me sometimes when I think about Betty. There's so much to thing about. I think it a pretty good plan to instill might good ideas into a girl's head for they need it.

Gee I don't know what to do about Christmas. It costs so blooming much to go home. Ruth has written me once or twice. I can't remember which and Dad once. I've written twice and asked Ruth to send me stuff I left but nary an answer. It seems tho' it would be best all round if I stay away. It would cost me forty dollars alone car fare - sleeper - baggage - meals and all too and from - and it's only six months until June.

Gosh its heck to be so out of luck - but independent - that's the only way to be. This fall has seemed so short.

I don't care to have Dad come over with the old car fare either in a charity giving way. Last summer when I said I hadn't asked for a cent for so long a time he got that air of his on and said he guessed I had written a few big checks (you know when Aunt Mag was sick) and that sure does burn me.

Gee those home scenes make me want to stay farther and farther away.

When I get to thinking about it all I make myself satisfied with my work & Biwabik and then when I think how differently it might be - it sure makes me blue.

Well as long as I don't get old I'm all right and I'm going out for a good skate this a.m.

We aren't having school yet and I'm now getting fat and lazy, as the Hospital is closed again. I am going to reline my old brown coat this p.m. Economical - that's me all over.

I hope you can get some good work after the war. There ought to be something good. I hate to see you going in with Dad on anything cause I don't think it can be "did."

Must hurry,

Lots of love,
Leone