You mustn’t picture the missionary type
Yokohama, Japan
Sallie dearest:
Isn’t this paper fascinating? It comes by the bolt so you can write just as much as you choose and then simply tear it off. The Japanese have it this way because, as you know, they write up and down instead of across.
We stopped a day at Nagasaki and one at Kobe. We went ashore both places, but there was not any thing to do but take a ricksha and ride around. We got here Friday and I think will stay a couple of weeks. Your letter was here telling of your going to England. I think it is fine, and am anxious to hear all your plans about getting ready etc. Am going to risk sending this letter home, for the “Korea” leaves on the 3rd, so this ought to reach you by the 25th, and I thought you wouldn’t leave home before the first of June anyhow. When you do get to England, if you put “via Siberia” on my letters I think we’ll get them more quickly, and I’ll do the same on yours.
There was such a nice woman, Mrs. Chandler, on the steamer from Manila. We had the stateroom together and got quite chummy. She’s a Smith graduate, just Mary’s age1, and since her husband died three years ago she’s been teaching here in Japan. You mustn’t picture the missionary type for she is far from that – dresses beautifully and is heaps of fun. She spent the night with me and the next day after we got in and took me around to show me the best dress makers, shops etc. She lives in Tokyo and on Saturday I’m going up to go with her to a real Japanese dinner. She and I will be the only foreigners, and will have to eat with chopsticks.
Who has rented the house – is it Mr. Savage, and who is he? I have a hazy idea that he is a music teacher in Pittsburgh – is that right? It is very cool here now and it seems so good to be wearing a dark suit. I am in a chronic state of feeling dressed up. We got here just in time to see the cherry blossoms. They were wonderful, and now the purple and white wisteria are in their glory. I have been out to tea several times, and tomorrow father and I go out to a luncheon and a dinner. Things are about the same as they were when we were here nine years ago, although this place seems a little more foreign, more big stone buildings, etc. This is the nearest I can come to writing you and Shang a steamer letter, but I’ll be thinking of you and crazy to hear that you have landed safely in London town. With oceans of love for you both and all sorts of wishes for a good time and the best of trips.
Alice April 29 [1913]
1 Born 1883
