Page 208 - The Story of My Lif

TO MRS. LAURENCE HUTTON

[Wrentham] April 12, 1898.

…I am glad Mr. Keith is so well pleased with my progress. It is true that Algebra
and Geometry are growing easier all the time, especially algebra; and I have just
received books in raised print which will greatly facilitate my work….

I find I get on faster, and do better work with Mr. Keith than I did in the classes
at the Cambridge School, and I think it was well that I gave up that kind of work.
At any rate, I have not been idle since I left school; I have accomplished more,
and been happier than I could have been there….

TO MRS. LAURENCE HUTTON

[Wrentham] May 29, 1898.

…My work goes on bravely. Each day is filled to the brim with hard study; for I
am anxious to accomplish as much as possible before I put away my books for
the summer vacation. You will be pleased to hear that I did three problems in
Geometry yesterday without assistance. Mr. Keith and Teacher were quite
enthusiastic over the achievement, and I must confess, I felt somewhat elated
myself. Now I feel as if I should succeed in doing something in mathematics,
although I cannot see why it is so very important to know that the lines drawn
from the extremities of the base of an isosceles triangle to the middle points of
the opposite sides are equal! The knowledge doesn’t make life any sweeter or
happier, does it? On the other hand, when we learn a new word, it is the key to
untold treasures….

TO CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER

Wrentham, Mass., June 7, 1898.

I am afraid you will conclude that I am not very anxious for a tandem after all,