June 30, 1859

Dear Safiya,

I didn’t know that about Grandmother.  That’s so interesting.  Where was this?  Did her uncle disappear in the night or in the middle of the day?  Was my great-grandfather his little brother or older brother?

And I don’t know why you want to know, but I’m five feet and four inches tall, my waist is about eighteen inches around,  they never buy me new clothes, I have hand-me-downs from the neighbors, and I weigh about eighty pounds.  The MacJohns don’t feed me much, either, but I’m kind of used to it by now.  I’ve been living with them ever since Grandmother died.  And I have a feeling that I will be living with them for at least a little while longer.

Since you made the promise for me, I will do what you ask of me.  Today Cindy doubled my punishment because I had been reading a book instead of doing my chores.

Nothing else interesting is really happening.  I took your advice about the falls.  I almost went there but I decided against it.  But it’s calling for me, almost.  I don’t know what I’ll do.  I trust you, though, even though we haven’t been talking for long.

Can you tell me more about yourself?  It seems like you know everything about me and I know absolutely nothing about you.

Forever, Lucy