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[written] p. 23

[typed] Roble--Nov.14 - '96
Saturday morning

My dearest Nannie--

A queer time to be writing letters isn't it? But why not? I
have little preparing to do for Monday, and to-morrow Theodora is com-
ing down to spend the afternoon and I shall have no time then. This
has been a very quiet uneventful week and has simply flown. All exciting
events were crowded into last Sunday afternoon. After I dined with
Mrs. Peck in Palo Alto and read a few sonnets with her, I came back to
the hall and Helen Younger, Alice Colt, and I went over to call upon
Mrs. Stanford. She is apt to be home on Sundays as she is very fond of
being here for service in the Chapel. Our object was to invite her to
the Roble Thanksgiving dance or at least to use her name as one of the
patronesses. After our cards had been carried in by the Chinese boy
who came to the door, we were ushered through a little ante-room into
the library; it was about twilight and the dark hued room with its
heavy carved furniture was very impressive. Mrs. Stanford was writing
letter at her desk in the bay window, and she received us very cordi-
ally and kindly. We talked for about an hour and I sat where I had a
perspective of the library, ante-library, and the guest dining room
where the table was set and made a very pretty interior. The funny part
of it was Mrs. S. was so bound up in metaphysical though, in memories
of Leland and her husband that I thougt it would be simply impossible
to mention anything so mundane and frivolous as a Roble dance; the
opportunity came at last, however, and Mrs. Stanford seemed very pleased
& appreciative of the attention and said perhaps she might come tho' it
was a great strain upon her to meet people and especially people so
near Leland's age. When the lights were lit she showed us thru the
rooms on the first floor and we followed her rustling silk-lined skirts
with much admiration, she took us around the long veranda and showed
us a beautiful glimpse through the trees and lawns, and was very hos-
pitable when we went.. Before we found her, we had chaffed a good deal
about seeing our cards in the museum etc., but after our call we felt a-
shamed of ourselves for she impressed us as being a very sorrowful,
lovely, womanthough we had the feeling that she had been acclimated to
her wealth instead of being brought up in satin sleeves. ----- .
She dwells upon the personal thought of her loss so that she lives in a
future world where her conditions will be just as they were on this
earth before her dear ones left her sight; it it were not for her busi-
ness cares I have not doubt she would be far advanced in spiritualism.
She spoke so affectionately of Dr. Jordan, who evidently brings her
no complaints or wrongs & also has her utmost regard & confidence.

Wednesday I had my first glimpse of Maggie Scott--What a noble
woman she is? She came to my room after luncheon, and told to three
or four of us her Brazilian life & the state of the school systems there
which greatly interest us who look forward to strange experiences our-
selves in the future. I have felt sorry ever since I wrote you about
Prof. Hudsen's foolishness--he is very devoted to his wife but like
most any artistic nature was sentimentally attracted by a pretty face
and a bright mind. Grace Clark visited the university yesterday and
seems just the same, gruff, stolid, & flattering girl that she was
last year. There is so little to write this week--I am going to write
to auntie Carrie, auntie Sere and Mrs. Allen today, just to let them
know I often think of them. Dear Lolie is coming tomorrow for a few
hours. We are looking forward to spending the Thanksgiving vacation
together here. as many of the girls will be here & we are going to have
Charles send us a couple of boiled chickens from the ranch.

Bye-bye my precious Nannie. Toodles.