[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]
Court Rules Volstead Act Is Not Above State Law
SUIT TO BREAK UP CLOTHING WORKERS' UNION BEGUN HERE
Amalgamated Workers Plotting for Rule of the Proletariat, Manufacturers Say. MENACE TO NATION SEEN Courts Will Be Asked to Disband 170,000 Members and Forbid Strike.
January 21, 1921
In Helen’s Room
Dearest mother,
You’re going to like my dress a lot! It’s going to be way up to my neck flat in the front and back. Of course I am not the width of the lace and we are keeping it all and it just hang down in folds so it hands down the side of the waist in folds. It is long waisted and going to have a 3 or 4 inch silver ribbon and a bunch of grapes or something like that. To hear me talk you would think it is all done, but it has just been draped on me. Dot was too tired to do more than get the idea. She and all the kids are peaches about Rave and give suggestions etc.
It is so wonderful to have all my exams over. 93 in Eloc. 93 in His. 90 in Eng. VIII 87 in Logic. Looks like Phi Bate but don’t kid yourself I have no idea of keeping it up.
My last one was soc. This morning. There are oodles of kids gone home. Bob [Fischer, whom she is dating] served to-night in the dining room. There have been two Sigma Chis for the last week since the girls have gone home and when he appeared to-nite everyone about passed out. He was unnecessary too. They had 2 extra ones. I imagine it was a dare. I’m expecting to see you Monday.
Love,
Betty
Betty was friends with Dorothy Burr in college. Dorothy Burr later married Raymond Hoadley after Betty passed away. I wonder if this is the Dot that is referenced in this letter?