Thursday March 21, 1918.

Dear Marie,

Well what do you think of the hair? I let it grow about as long as the
law will allow, and now nearly all of it will come off or the “cooties”
will get me if I don’t watch out.

Now Marie don’t judge boys too harshly. You will find that your boy
friends will be just what you make them. No matter what a boy may
apparently think of you, he will, way down in his heart, respect you all
the more for being a sweet clean-hearted girl. Please believe me there,
little sweetheart – be the good pal sort of girl, a “tomboy” if you
like, for all boys love that type, but let them see “Hand off,” and that
you mean it. You may think you will have fewer friends but nothing could
be further from the truth.

I am not giving you any purely personal opinion of my own. For the last
eight months I have heard men of different types and character discuss
“Girls.” (Lots of times it’s the only thing they talk about). So I
believe I know something of what others think, as well as myself.

The Good Girl is the only kind that any self respecting man loves. She
is the kind of girl that makes the world move.

And take my word for it these are no personal views of mine.

Please don’t think that what I’ve said is altogether uncalled for – just
want you to know that allowing too much freedom on the part of the boys
you meet, will never win you more real friends. And don’t be too quick
to condemn a boy because he seems to expect the things you know are not
quite right. Other girls – that didn’t care – let him go just a hair too
far, -- and he doesn’t know you real good – yet. So forget it if you
think the clean, decent fellows are few and far between. I don’t know
what you think of me telling you all this – most boys don’t write to
little girls in this way do they?

But, Girlie, you are my little Sweetheart and little sister, all in one,
and I love and worship you as I never have anyone else. So please
believe me I am just trying to help you to be the kind of a girl that
“makes things move.” The Y.M.C.A. is about to close so I will have to
finish this.

Sincerely,

Forrest.