He is an awfully companionable sort of man，though you would never believe it to see him casually；he looks at first glance like a true Pendleton，but he isn't in the least.He is just as simple and unaffected and sweet as he can be-that seems a funny way to describe a man，but it's true.He's extremely nice with the farmers around here；he meets them in a sort of man-to-man fashion that disarms them immediately.They were very suspicious at first.They didn't care for his clothes！And I will say that his clothes are rather amazing.He wears knickerbockers and pleated jackets and white flannels and riding clothes with puffed trousers.Whenever he comes down in anything new，Mrs.Semple，beaming with pride，walks around and views him from every angle，and urges him to be careful where he sits down；she is so afraid he will pick up some dust.It bores him dreadfully.He's always saying to her：
“Run along，Lizzie，and tend to your work.You can't boss me any longer.I've grown up.”
It's awfully funny to think of that great big，long-legged man（he's nearly as long-legged as you，Daddy）ever sitting in Mrs.Semple's lap and having his face washed.Particularly funny when you see her lap！She has two laps now，and three chins.But he says that once she was thin and wiry and spry and could run faster than he.
Such a lot of adventures we're having！We've explored the country for miles，and I've learned to fish with funny little flies made of feathers.Also to shoot with a rifle and a revolver.Also to ride horseback-there's an astonishing amount of life in old Grove.We fed him on oats for three days，and he shied at a calf and almost ran away with me.
Wednesday
We climbed Sky Hill Monday afternoon.That's a mountain near here；not an awfully high mountain，perhaps-no snow on the summit-but at least you are pretty breathless when you reach the top.The lower slopes are covered with woods，but the top is just piled rocks and open moor.We stayed up for the sunset and built a fire and cooked our supper.Master Jervie did the cooking；he said he knew how better than me-and he did，too，because he's used to camping.Then we came down by moonlight，and，when we reached the wood trail where it was dark，by the light of a flashlight that he had in his pocket.It was such fun！He laughed and joked all the way and talked about interesting things.He's read all the books I've ever read，and a lot of others besides.It's astonishing how many different things he knows.