Read Just an Ordinary Day: The Uncollected Stories of Shirley Jackson for Free Online

fault if the old halls are so dark, anyway, the landlord is being real nasty about it. So whatever you do do, don’t let go of that apartment — we may be coming back.
    Best ,
    Helen
    36 Elm St.
   Thursday
    Dear Miss Griswold ,
    I am very sorry to keep bothering you like this, but the lady in the apartment down the hall here says that you owe her a dollar and sixty-five cents for a C.O.D. package which you never paid her, and I tried to give her your new address but she said she wanted the money so I had to give her the dollar sixty-five, which I am afraid left me rather pressed, since the rent here is higher than I was paying my sister when I lived with her. So I would be grateful if you could send it along. Also the bottom of your bookcase fell out and I tried to put it back but didn’t do much of a job on it. And I’m sorry but I burned a hole in the top of your coffee table .
    How are you getting along in your new place? I think I know where I can borrow a car and anytime you want your furniture I’d be glad to bring it over. Just let me know .
    Sincerely ,
    Allan Burlingame
    Thurs.
    Dear Miss, Landlord came over today and made me let him into 3C to see if it was evicted and so here is your five back because I couldn’t keep him out .
    Charles E. Murphy (janitor)
    Shax, Asmodeus, Baal, and Co. Realtors
    Dear Mrs. Tuttle ,
    Thank you for leaving so promptly after my letter. We must now only trouble you for the amount ($65.75) of last month’s rent.
    Most extremely cordially ,
    B. H. Shax
    101 Eastern Square
   Friday
    Dear Mr. Shax ,
    You were misinformed. The Tuttles have moved, but I have taken over this apartment with their permission. Enclosed is my check for the month’s rent. Every human being has the right to shelter. Indians live in tents, Eskimos live in igloos, dogs live in kennels, and I am living here .
    Sincerely ,
    Marian Griswold
    Shax, Asmodeus, Baal, and Co. Realtors
    Dear Miss Griswold ,
    Enclosed is your check for last month’s rent of apartment 3C at 101 Eastern Square because we are returning it. If you are interested in the possibilities of renting a kennel or an igloo, I suggest you consult with some real estate firm that handles that type of business. Our firm handles only apartments, and since you are not the legal resident of the apartment at 101 Eastern Square you cannot pay the rent. Since you believe that you are the legal resident of the apartment you may consider this as first warning of notice to evict .
    Most extremely cordially ,
    B. H. Shax
    101 Eastern Square
   Wednesday
    Dear Mr. Burlingame ,
    Bring over all my furniture as fast as you can. I intend to stay in this apartment until a gentleman named B. H. Shax comes personally and carries me out into the street, and that is going to be harder than he things, because I am not an easy person to carry down three flights of stairs .
    Sincerely ,
    Marian Griswold
    36 Elm St.
   Thursday
    Dear Bill ,
    Will you get together my stuff and bring it over as soon as you can? I’m finally getting this dame’s stuff out of the place. Thank heaven ,
    Al
    10 Oliver
   Friday
    Dear Timmy ,
    Sorry, but I’m afraid I’ll be needing my furniture and things. Al wants his back because he is getting rid of the stuff that girl left in his place.
    Bill
    1249 Jones St.
   Saturday
    Dear Mom, would you mind sending along as soon as possible the bed and chairs and stuff you said once I could have? On account of the guy who owns the furniture in this apartment wants it. Can I have the little radio too? Will write soon .
    Love ,
    Timmy
    101 Eastern Square
   Monday
    Dear Mr. Shax ,
    I am enclosing again my check for last month’s rent on this apartment. I have spoken to Mrs. Tuttle and she believes that her sublease gives her the right to sub-sublease, although it does not allow her to open a vegetable stand on the sidewall, keep mockingbirds, or advertise clairvoyant readings in the front windows. So you can consider me as having