23

The Book of Summer

Harriet E. Rutter

June 30, 1941

The Venerable Cliff House

I found this darling book today as I brambled about Cliff House, waiting for Ruby to conclude some verbal dust-up with her little brother, the erstwhile “Topper.” They were haggling about the war or some such. Those two. Like twins, without the telepathy or mutual understanding.

I’ve had grand fun ticking through these pages, reading about guests past. It’s so quaint, so charming, so very New World. It makes me adore these people all the more. I hope they write in this book for a hundred years to come.

Anyhow, these days everyone’s all a-flutter about the upcoming 4th of July theatrics. There’ll be no fireworks this year, more’s the pity, but I suppose enough bombs are going off for now. Instead they’ll host some sort of water carnival and a sky parade. The paper said they plan to drop animals, clowns, and fish from a plane. Clowns from a plane? This must be a typesetter’s error but oh how I pray that it’s not!

The spectacle will be followed by a Yacht Club dance, which Ruby expects me to attend with her brother, provided tomorrow’s dinner goes as she dreams. Oh that Topper Young. Poor kid. Rumor does paint him as a suave and handsome sort but I doubt he’ll relish his big sister’s assistance in matters of the heart. Either way, I’ll make sure we all enjoy some fun this summer. That much I can guar-an-tee.

Until later, I remain, yours truly,

Hattie R.