Correspondence, World War, 1939-1945., World War, 1939-1945--Women.
#[56?] Another letter on Jean will follow this Thurs Nov. 23 7:30 pm My dearest darling - I love all these snapshots you’re sending me - each one seems more precious than the last…Wendy certainly shows a lot of expression in these new ones, doesn't she? They give me a good idea of how she is developing. Smiles for the photographer seem to come easy now, as well as scowls, looks of contentment, of curiosity or whatever suits her mood. The two of them taken on the beach (Wendy and you together) I like especially - Pictures like that delight me, Sweetie-take just as many as we can afford - P.S. That is a bathing suit and very becoming! I do wish I’d had the sense to buy a cheap little snapshot album in Honolulu. Could have bought one at a Ship's Service Store. The letters from Jean and from Will and Ruth were very welcome, as was one from Toni which I enclose in the letter following this. Here goes to see if I can't catch up with all your questions. If any remain (thru letter #62, Nov. 14th) will you repeat them on receiving this? Fun hearing about Wendy and Jeff, or Wendy and Keeo… Darling, I won't ask about a sedative for you until you write me again and tell me (having had time to think about it) that you still feel you really need it. In that case, gladly. But remember that it's a bad habit to get with, even temporarily. No newspapers or magazines received yet, but then it's not [pg 2] time for them to get here. I've received only 2 of the 7 packages you mention - both those are in my other seabag, minus the brownies but all should be here in time. Sorry we haven't heard from John and Betty, or the pictures. Maybe you wondering about it has brought a letter by now. Make a little list, darling, of all the books like “Lucinda” that you enjoy - I have a feeling that I'll be wanting to do a good deal of light reading like that of a reading evening at home with you. I lose all track of which letter is which you refer to mine, but it does make me feel good once in awhile when you say “…a 5 page letter from you; it was a wonderful letter and I've been reading it all day” - did you have your Thanksgiving dinner out with P and K? The conjunctivitis has been all cleared up for some time now. Since the skid in volleyball have undergone a series of minor scuffs and shin bruises - nothing important, and no infections - and notice that cuts or scraps take a lot longer to heal in this climate than they do at home. Nevertheless the majority of the people here look pretty healthy, considering what they've come thru. Glad you can shop at the Presidio Commissary. Wish I could. Sweetie, I don't know whether we'll be able to live in one place for 2 years to see what it feels like after I get back (I hope we can) - but we'll be together wherever we are. Yes, my erstwhile tentmate Mac has a son Duncan. [pg 3] Mac has been assigned as personnel officer, which makes him mad because he says he came out here to do a job of some real sort instead of playing general nursemaid and flunky to the outfit. But he's earnest and good natured about it. You ask about money and the future - don't worry about it for now, darling; I won't forget about it and sometime when I have a little more to say than I have at the moment I'll try to cover the subject to your satisfaction. Just now I'm learning things; this experience is to the last what it was to the one before that, etc. - You will know what I mean. I wasn't quite sure for a little while at first that it was going to be, but it is. Just now I'm too busy to give the subject much active thought, but it does occur to me often and I won't let any opportunity to get a line on something from associate here go by. In connection with that, I might mention some good news which I heard today. According to a new [AlNav?] we are entitled to expect (not just to apply for) a month's leave after 18 months overseas, followed by 6 month's duty stateside before going out again. Naturally that isn't a certainty but it's by far the best thing yet and something definite to look forward to. Meantime - after Christmas - do try to save $25 a month. When I write and ask you for something and we can't afford it on that [pg 4] basis, darling, just send me a little slip of paper with our bank balance as of the last and the current month instead - that'll do the trick and I'll be just as happy. I had to laugh when you spoke of Wendy's demeaning herself again at Dr. [Lusiguan's?] (atta girl, Wendy)! I knew what you meant, of course, but so far as I know you have to say “well” or “badly” to make the phrase complete. I suppose originally it was the same thing with the word “behave” - haven't a jibiki handy. Gosh 15# 8 oz, and 24 ¼”! How she grows. I appreciate your feelings with respect to the incident of Dorothy [Onders's?] husband. Now you pose a big question, about Jean. Its hard to answer, darling, and more or less comes back to you in the end. I think there is way you could take the responsibility of having Jean with you without having it go too hard on either of my darlings, or on Jean herself: be completely candid with her, tell her just what you tell me about her, and make her realize both that she needs your help now and that she must be prepared at any time to have it cut off. In that way you could build her up. She might fit the bill as far as that extra person (both as companion and wage earner) in the house is concerned. There is little doubt that it would be swell for Jean. I think you could do a job on her physically and she's ready for that. You could also in time, by making a game of it, encourage her to be intelligent subtle and not too eager in any dates she might have. Do lots of laughing and don't sentimentalize. It seems to me that it's the opportunity of a lifetime for Jean, and she certainly deserves it. What's up to you, darling, is how much a of a burden it would feel to you. I think you could minimize the burden of responsibility even while assuming the necessary amount of responsibility itself. Write me right back about it, will you? I am certain to be away 18 month. I love you, darling. [Top of page] Charlie and I were both glad to hear about Helen's prospective visit! Thank you for our first [?]