May 168- +1

Young Beth,

You'll be pleased to know that I've enclosed some of the newest music, with the hopes that you'll very much enjoy it. Now, I don't know too much about music- although I certainly don't mind listening to much of it- so I'm not sure if these will be to your liking. Kate wrinkled her nose at them when she saw them, so I assumed I'd chosen something that would probably be all right.

I'd rather be around Meg and Mr. Brooks wedding preparations than Kate's! The wedding is going to be at the end of next month, and both she and Mother are convinced nothing is going to be ready on time and that something is going to go dreadfully wrong. I think they should just get a few flowers and a lot of good food and get the whole business done quickly so Kate can be off and away from the rest of us. And both of them have been after Fred and me to make sure our good suits still fit us. I did go hunting with Fred and Papa for the first time in months, and almost got a deer, too! But then Fred had to spoil it. At the last minute, he let out a huge whoop and leapt forward, frightening the deer away.

Now to indulge you in my musings. But now you must promise to do the same. I suppose in ten years I'll have a job of sorts. I don't want to do what Papa does; he spends too much time indoors with his nose in his books. I've had enough of that in the past year to last a lifetime. Besides, I don't think I have the brains for law and business or whatever else it is that he does. Maybe I'll be an adventurer. I don't care if that isn't a real profession. If it's not, I will jolly well make it one! I'd go traveling all over the continent, and maybe even go to Africa or India. Then I could see elephants and tigers. Now wouldn't that be a good time! I won't want to be married, and least for many years. From what I've seen of Kate's wedding preparations, it's nothing but a bunch of frivolity meant for everyone to have a bit of fun, but I think that it is stressful. I'm sure Meg's wedding will be very nice and simple but Kate's has too many frills for me. And why would I need a wedding anyways? I can tell a girl I love her just as easily without a ceremony as with one. If I do marry someday, I hope she's like you, sweet and amusing and level headed and can bring out the best parts of my rough soul. Ho, look at me getting all mushy! Reading back over this last bit, I can tell how unlike me it is. This is your doing, Beth. You might make a gentleman out of me yet! But since I've opened up to you, you must do the same to me.

Gentleman Frank