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Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Anne Allegra (Longfellow) Thorp, 6 April 1917
Manuscript letter
Friday
April 6th
Darlingest Mamma,
It is so long since I’ve really written you, and just think what has happened – war upon us, and perhaps universal service --!!
How impossible it is fully to realize it – yet.
It is hard to be away, and I hope won’t be too hard, for you, to leave. But we must have that week of oblivion together before you we all plunge back into the maelstrom.
[written cross on R margin]
I hope the mayflowers weren’t all faded!
(p.2) Tuk’s and Papa’s visit was perfect, and I’m praying for equally good weather next week.
Today it is snowing! ---- Papa will explain about how you can cross the mountain “all the way by mule”, and when you’re once safely over you don’t need to stir hand or foot from Pole House, unless you’ve a mind to – you see, it is a complete household in itself and we cook meals here whenever we feel like it – and are perfectly independent. Now about clothes. I’ll send you the regulation list, and you’ll (p.3) need awfully few things anyway, for I have extra rain capes, coats & hats, rubber-boots, mackinaw, towels sweaters, etc. Sitoo will need jumpers, good stout walking boots, (high ones for mud) a pair of rough low shoes, bloomers, khaki or her outing skirt, and possibly one linen or serge dress, if she wants to change at night (tho’ I never do.) If I ever “dress up”, I simply wear a nice smock & my corduroy skirt.
I have [crossed out: an extra] two thick wrappers, for you but you’ll need bed slippers.
Will you bring with you (p.4) two pairs of pajamas for me if Dard[?] can find any. I’ll make arrangements about mules and room at Pineville when I hear definitely what day you arrive. You couldn’t possibly get here on Sunday, could you? If you could it would be wonderful, for I could come to meet you without missing school. But probably, Sitoo can’t get off any earlier –
Oh, Mamma dear, it will be so perfect beyond words to have you here, too, to share my love for this place and the blessed children. I can’t realize that you’re really coming till I see you – yon side the mountain!
A heartful of love
From your Bun.
April 6th
Darlingest Mamma,
It is so long since I’ve really written you, and just think what has happened – war upon us, and perhaps universal service --!!
How impossible it is fully to realize it – yet.
It is hard to be away, and I hope won’t be too hard, for you, to leave. But we must have that week of oblivion together before you we all plunge back into the maelstrom.
[written cross on R margin]
I hope the mayflowers weren’t all faded!
(p.2) Tuk’s and Papa’s visit was perfect, and I’m praying for equally good weather next week.
Today it is snowing! ---- Papa will explain about how you can cross the mountain “all the way by mule”, and when you’re once safely over you don’t need to stir hand or foot from Pole House, unless you’ve a mind to – you see, it is a complete household in itself and we cook meals here whenever we feel like it – and are perfectly independent. Now about clothes. I’ll send you the regulation list, and you’ll (p.3) need awfully few things anyway, for I have extra rain capes, coats & hats, rubber-boots, mackinaw, towels sweaters, etc. Sitoo will need jumpers, good stout walking boots, (high ones for mud) a pair of rough low shoes, bloomers, khaki or her outing skirt, and possibly one linen or serge dress, if she wants to change at night (tho’ I never do.) If I ever “dress up”, I simply wear a nice smock & my corduroy skirt.
I have [crossed out: an extra] two thick wrappers, for you but you’ll need bed slippers.
Will you bring with you (p.4) two pairs of pajamas for me if Dard[?] can find any. I’ll make arrangements about mules and room at Pineville when I hear definitely what day you arrive. You couldn’t possibly get here on Sunday, could you? If you could it would be wonderful, for I could come to meet you without missing school. But probably, Sitoo can’t get off any earlier –
Oh, Mamma dear, it will be so perfect beyond words to have you here, too, to share my love for this place and the blessed children. I can’t realize that you’re really coming till I see you – yon side the mountain!
A heartful of love
From your Bun.
Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-005#011
U. S. National Park Service
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Courtesy of National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site; Archives Number 1006/004.006.002-005#011
Public domain
Erica Thorp deBerry Papers (1006/004.006), (LONG-SeriesName)
, Correspondence, Outgoing (1006/004.006.002), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, 1917 (1006/004.006.002-005), (LONG-FileUnitName)
, Correspondence, Outgoing (1006/004.006.002), (LONG-SubseriesName)
, 1917 (1006/004.006.002-005), (LONG-FileUnitName)
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Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Code: LONG
Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
Latitude: 42.3769989013672, Longitude: -71.1264038085938
NPS Museum Number Catalog : LONG 27930
Title: Finding Aid to the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) Family Papers, 1768-1972 (Bulk dates 1825-1950)
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLFP
URL: https://www.nps.gov/long/learn/historyculture/archives.htm#HWLFP
2016-01-30
04/06/1917
Manuscript letter in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Family Papers, Erica Thorp deBerry Papers, Correspondence, Outgoing. (1006/004.006.002)
Public Can View
Organization: Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
Address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: LONG_archives@nps.gov
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