My Dear Madeleine

September 15th

I had lots of fun with Madeleine today. I watched her work on the farm. She is so very strong, and sweet to her family's livestock. I felt so very close to her.

She has to work on the farm a lot right now because it is harvest season. But soon, it will be winter and she will be free from those responsibilities. We also went down to the river. As soon as we arrived, she went and washed her hands in the cold water because her rosy skin was covered with dirt and other things from the farm.

We just sat there and held each other's hands until dark. I could not help but stare at my dear friend's beautiful face. Her lovely brown eyes, usually filled with a passionate rage, seemed soft and lovely. I am so excited to finally have a friend like this.

The girls at church never want to talk to me. They call me childish and strange, but my dear Madeleine does not think of me like that. She says I am funny and that she likes to talk to me. I like to talk to her. She is very passionate and outgoing. I think that is really spectacular, because I am not like that at all. She might be a good influence on me.

Tomorrow is church, and Madeleine said she would come and sit with my family rather than hers. She says she wants to see what having a big family is like, but I secretly have some selfish hope that she just wants to sit with me.