Letter from Grace McClurg to her family, January 29, 1911

Evanston, Ill.,
Jan. 29, 1911

My dear Folks:
Ruth's letter came yesterday and was certainly very enjoyable. I will always be pleased to get more like it. I'm glad she is doing well in most of her studies. Work as hard as you can on your Latin, Ruth, for the harder you work on it and the better you get your lessons now, the easier will be your work in the other years. You certainly will enjoy your botany, and I think can pass without taking the ex. I do not know yet about my credits. I do hope that I can go in with this year's class. Didn't go to the reception. Had too much to do if I had had my credits fixed up. Ruth said, “here my letter is getting almost as long as yours, so I guess I better quit.” Ha! Ha! That's a slam on me. Shall I shorten mine, Ruth? Cannot say that I am sorry to learn of Mrs. Maltbie’s death. That would be unjust to her, but I am sorry that I will never see her again, for if ever there was a truly good woman, she certainly was one. What was the trouble? That must have been an interesting occasion the driving of those nails in the Tabernacle. I cannot help thinking what a change there has been in this old neighborhood dinners with the children all gone, and Mabel gone forever. I would send congratulations to Agnes but I almost doubt whether it is a case for congratulation. However they must be very happy at having the boy. If it were a happy home with means for caring for two more one could congratulate them with more heart. Got a letter from missus price this week. Will send it, but be sure to send it back. Not knowing them you can't realize the sorrow that oozes out between the restrained words. Their home will be desolate along long time. Wish I could spend next summer there. I believe it would do them good, and I know it would me. A dollar came with the letter. Gratefully received. Mama, I will also send some new patent clasps like I am trying on my skirts. I'm going to get some white ones for my new dress and white skirt. There are 6 prs. Of this side of on a card. Got a letter from Smith this week. He has joined the K.S.U. Student volunteers, and is planning to go to the John Hopkins at Baltimore, MD. next year to take up medicine. He has the grit. Yesterday afternoon is the first time in months, so it seems, when there was nothing that absolutely had to be done. I can't tell you how fast I rested, a time when I needed just such relaxation. Washed my head, then took a steaming hot bath, wrapping up in my blanket at once, went to a quiet room and slept and slept. Would waken, then realizing that I did not have to get up, would go back to sleep. It was an afternoon of bliss. My whole examination time will be one of rest, for they are few and so scattered that I can almost loaf for two weeks. To Be sure, there is much to be done, but there will not be that everlasting rush. Have had a touch of the grippe this week, but feel better now that it is over than I have felt in a long long time. With this rest ahead I believe I will go into the new semester with a vim, tho it seemed for a time as if I couldn't do anything. Am to lead League at Immanuel this week. I'm thinking of going in to C.T.S. Next Sun. Alice wanted me to come today. Got letters from Ethel Hyde and Edith this week. Edith and Roy are getting on their feet fine financially. They're great shadow now is the other operation on Roy’s eye, which must soon be done. Heard a famous English suffragette talk for two hours last night on conditions in Eng. Fine! Everyone men and women came away converts. Heard the topic briefly argued some time ago. I think that people are prejudiced because they see only the Carrie Nation type and think of women as wanting to regulate tariffs, etc. Which belong to men, but the real thing the women are after are moral reforms, such as child labor and white slave laws, also measures protecting young girls brought into court for unspeakable doings which ought to be dealt with by women instead of being further degraded before a court of men officials and men onlookers, etc. etc. etc. I am not going to take the stump, but my views and sympathies are broader than before. Give Betsy my love and tell her I am going to write her before long. Love from Grace.