Page 154 - The Story of My Lif

Now, my darling little Mildred, good bye. Give father and mother a great deal of
love and many hugs and kisses for me. Teacher sends her love too.

From your loving sister,

HELEN A. KELLER.

TO MR. WILLIAM WADE

South Boston, Mass., Nov. 20, 1889.

My Dear Mr. Wade:—I have just received a letter from my mother, telling me
that the beautiful mastiff puppy you sent me had arrived in Tuscumbia safely.
Thank you very much for the nice gift. I am very sorry that I was not at home to

welcome her; but my mother and my baby sister will be very kind to her while
her mistress is away. I hope she is not lonely and unhappy. I think puppies can
feel very homesick, as well as little girls. I should like to call her Lioness, for
your dog. May I? I hope she will be very faithful,—and brave, too.

I am studying in Boston, with my dear teacher. I learn a great many new and
wonderful things. I study about the earth, and the animals, and I like arithmetic
exceedingly. I learn many new words, too. EXCEEDINGLY is one that I learned
yesterday. When I see Lioness I will tell her many things which will surprise her
greatly. I think she will laugh when I tell her she is a vertebrate, a mammal, a
quadruped; and I shall be very sorry to tell her that she belongs to the order
Carnivora. I study French, too. When I talk French to Lioness I will call her mon
beau chien. Please tell Lion that I will take good care of Lioness. I shall be
happy to have a letter from you when you like to write to me.

From your loving little friend,

HELEN A. KELLER.