Dear Girls,

In the seven years since I wrote my last installment my life has suffered a great change. In September 1923 I married Arthur Rees, to whom I had been engaged for some years. He died in April 1926. In the past year I have learned to be outwardly reconciled; I cannot say more. My greatest earthly comfort is in the great out-doors, and I spend much of my leisure time in my garden. Also I am thankful that I still have my work.

I teach now in the Overbrook High School of Philadelphia- a big new co-educational school. I find work with boys a refreshing and rejuvenating influence - they are so many sided, and they look upon things from such a different angle from the girls.

In June 1925 I had the pleasure of seeing my niece, Frances Crawford, graduate from Goucher. It was indeed a thrill; not equal of course to that of having a daughter in college, but still, a distinct thrill. I was sorry not to attend the 1925 reunion, but circumstances prevented my being there, though I was in Baltimore, arriving during that evening. I called for a few minutes at Charlotte's the next afternoon and saw quite a group of the girls there. At commencement I was the only 1903 and had to carry the banner - an honor I was proud of, but I wished some others had been there.

Last summer I spent considerable time in Baltimore because of Frances' mother's illness and death, but I saw few of the old friends - only Edna Frizzell Thurlow, 1904, and Carrie Byrd '04.

Your letters have been a great pleasure and encouragement to me. There surely is a great bond of common interest. Like so many of you, I do some church work, belong to some societies and clubs, and, though I can't seem to do the large things some of you do, still I feel I am linked in the chain of good work that binds us all together.

I was especially interested in the accounts of trips and travel. In the summer of 1922 I had a most interesting and delightful time in Mexico, mostly studying in the summer courses at the University of Mexico, located in Mexico City. The courses were profitable, and of course, like all who have visited Mexico, I became interested in archaeology and the Aztec and other remains, but most of all I loved the 'feel' of the tropics and the flow of that colorful life. And of course it was all flavored with just a dash of the adventurous. One never knows what may happen next in Latin America!! All in all, however, I never was better treated, or more courteously entertained, and the climate of those highlands is perfect. Imagine rising every sparkling morning to see old Popocatepitl, aloof and frozen, like a fairy mountain, almost melting into the far-off sky. And when I joined an excursion down to the coast an saw the whole luxury of the tropics rolling out at the feet of great snowy Arizaba. I could not speak for the dream-wonder of it all. And, yes, it was hot in Vera Cruz, and when we went for a cooling 'dip' in the Gulf, lo, the Gulf was like a warm bath. We came out dripping equally with salt water and perspiration, and when we applied to the bath-house attendant for 'toallas' (towels) she made the customary Mexican deprecatory gesture and the usual excuse, 'Pero no lo hay' (but there aren't any!) - I love travel , and envy those who have made a world tour. Someday, maybe, I shall venture a grand tour.

I assure you all again of my pride in you and pleasure in reading your letters. My heart goes out to you in all your joys and sorrows.

Sincerely yours,