May 27, 1918.

Dear Marie,

I have read your letter of the 23^(rd) over and over again today
although it came two days ago. There is something in the letters from my
little make believe sister that make me want her so much.

I am glad you tell me about your school work. Please don’t ever think of
giving it up. Even if you should fail this semester that would hardly be
an excuse for being discouraged.

Play hard outdoors this summer and get plenty of sleep. Don’t allow
anything to interfere with a good, complete, refreshing rest every
night. It is during these periods of sleep, or at least relaxation, that
we grow and are rebuilt. So don’t fail to realize the importance of
early to be, and, if you can, get up when you feel like it. Of course it
is hard to sleep during the early hours of a hot night. A short time ago
you spoke of often feeling very tired and worn out before the end of the
day. Now it is hard for one to be cheerful and happy and also to stand
above our little pet weaknesses when he is tired and restless. Get all
the real outdoor fun, the real fun of hiking, swimming, riding, that you
can and try to avoid the things that make you mentally tired. Are you
going to stop both your music and elocution lessons? I think that your
health and then your school work should come above, and be considered
before, anything else.

Have you started to learn to ride yet? What kind of a saddle have you,
and how do you like it? Please tell me everything about it.

Do you think you will learn to swim this summer? How about your outdoor
girls’ club? Is there any kind of a girls’ camp that you could and would
like to go to for a short period during your vacation? Tell me as much
as you can about these things.

Make the most of every chance you have to be a true Outdoor girl.
Everyone loves a Tomboy girl if she can be a real girl at the same time.

A girl should be as much a lover of good active outdoor fun as any boy,
but at the same time keep all her girlish ways. Well I wonder what other
folks would think if they read my letters like this one. Other boys
don’t write like this I am sure and maybe I am wrong in doing so. Please
tell me exactly what you think.

I guess I am just telling you the kind of a girl that appeals to me – or
rather one reason why I love a little girl whose deep brown eyes are so
full of warmth and love.

Marie, no one can see you and know you without loving you and I am glad
that I know you so well.

Well please answer my letters as soon as you can and talk to me about
everything.

With love,

Forrest.