Watashi no Ashinaga Oji-san

New York, My Birthplace

A Bridge to Tomorrow

Acting as a tutor presents significant challenges and difficulties

A Ruthless Order

A narrative brimming with recollections and past experiences

Judy stays at Lock Willow Farm and shares a stormy fishing trip with Master Jervis

Judy remains at Lock Willow farm, choosing to enjoy her stay despite missing the Adirondacks trip with Sally, Jimmy, and Julia. The Sempletons prepare for Master Jervis’s visit, and Judy receives a letter with a cheque for a published story. Although Mrs. Sempleton plans to attend church the next day, Jervis takes Judy fishing instead. They go camping but are caught in a thunderstorm. While rushing back to the farm, Judy slips and falls into a ravine. Jervis finds her and holds her in his arms. On his departure day, he thanks everyone for their hospitality and surprises Judy by planting a kiss on her cheek.

Girls in Full Bloom

A Twilight Meeting at the Station

Emotions that narrowly fail to connect with one another

The Throbbing of My Heart

Julia struggles with family pressure and romance while her friends notice her strange behavior

Sally and Judy prepare gifts for their respective dates, but Julia refuses to join them, claiming she wants to study. At the library, she fails to focus and instead reads about American football. Julia receives a call from her mother, Mrs. Pendleton, who arranges a dinner to introduce her to a New York real estate agent's son. Julia insists she loves Jimmy McBride, but her mother rejects this, causing Julia to slam the phone. Later, Sally and Judy show Julia a hat and a handkerchief with initials JP. Puzzled by Julia's odd behavior, the friends go to sleep while Julia packs her suitcase and leaves the dormitory. The next day, Mrs. Pendleton arrives to take Julia to New York. Ms. Throne informs her that procedures must be followed. The noise wakes Judy, who discovers Julia's empty bed. After Ms. Throne reveals the phone conversation, Judy deduces Julia ran away. She asks Sally to distract the adults while she searches for Julia.

To Seize the Day

A farewell occurs on Christmas Eve

A sorrowful proposal is made

Moving forward by leaving the past behind

Judy meets her benefactor John Smith, who is revealed to be her lover Jervis, leading to marriage.

On her graduation day, Judy receives news that her sponsor, John Smith, is critically ill. She rushes toward his home with Mr. Griggs, navigating a traffic jam by running through heavy rain and a parade. Upon arrival, she discovers that John Smith is actually her former lover, Jervis, who suffers from deteriorating pneumonia. He explains that he selected her for a scholarship based on her quirky initial letter, having fallen in love with her carefree persona. After confessing his identity and feelings, Jervis faints. Judy stays by his side until morning, and he recovers. They subsequently marry at a small church in Lock Willow Farm. The narrative notes that Julia is engaged to Jimmy Mcbride, and Sallie and Bob remain friends. Judy proceeds to college while supporting her husband, eventually signing her final letter to Daddy Long Legs as Pendelton-Smith, Judy Abbott.