1944-08: ​~EMPTY ENVELOPES FROM JULY 1944~---1944-08-02---1944-08-03---1944-08-04---1944-08-05a---1944-08-05b---1944-08-06---1944-08-07---1944-08-08---1944-08-09a---1944-08-09b---1944-08-10---1944-08-13---1944-08-15a---1944-08-15b---1944-08-16a---1944-08-16b---1945-01-19 empty envelope---1945-03-06 empty envelope---site navigation
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Wednesday, Aug. 2nd
(more accurately, Thursday)

My dearest -

It's 2 A.M., and I've been working since 10, so this will be short.  In additions, both of our pens have run dry.

​Worked hard all day, but accomplished a lot.  Sailed with Anne at 6, and had a lot of fun.  Mah Jong - winning as usual - then work.  Not a very exciting day, what?

We had a letter from Bill yesterday, which as usual consisted largely of complaints about lack of subject matter.  Cheer up - only Aunt Alma, of the family, has written him since he was here in June.  Dad just isn't a correspondent by nature, but I'm disgusted with Aunt E.  She writes volumes to others, Annie Nathan, + Kay.  But then I guess you have no illusions about her affection for you.  Although, darling, I do think you rate better than Margaret at this point.  And certainly better than [illegible].  That's their own fault though - I know how to keep in her good graces - I just don't care enough to bother.  Do you mind, darling?  If you'd rather I'd make more of an effort, I will.

Annie Kidder is getting married Sunday.  She's been proposed to by the fellow for 8 years, and by another for 6 years.  Both the men were financially  eligible, + perfect dears.  But she couldn't bring herself to choose one and settle down.  Then the other day she found a puppy, and couldn't keep it because she didn't have a house of her own.  Whereupon she got herself engaged to Jack (8 years) Osborne on Tuesday + is marrying him on Sunday.  Midge + Doc are going to NY for the wedding.

Al sent M. + me a clipping about a furniture manufacturers' convention, with instructions to read it aloud to Aunt E. -- if we dared.  It seems the furniture people have decided that service men will be used to sleeping alone, + so will demand twin beds after the war.  Manufacturing is being planned accordingly.  Had we better buy a bed now to be on the safe side, dear?

Speaking of beds -- good night.  Wish you were here.  To rub my back.

All my love, forever + ever

​Edie
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Wednesday, August 3rd.

My dearest -

Oh happy day - three (3) letters from you!!  Last one July 22nd.  Will comment later.  They were heavenly, though.  Set me on air for the rest of the day.

Work went well, and I didn't have to work tonight, thanks to last night's 2 AM efforts.  Anent which Aunt Eva and Aunt Alma had a spat, with Margarert chiming in with Aunt A. to my support:

​E.S.E - It's lucky Edie doesn't have to punch a time clock.  She'd soon be fined, she's late so much.
A.G.S. - People who punch time clocks don't have to bring home work and work until 2 AM.
ESE. - Well then she had no business playing Mah Jong last night.
MSB. - After all, Aunt Eva, you have to relax onece in a while or you can't concentrate when you do work.
AGS. - Well Eva's never had to concetrate or use her brains very continuously, so she doesn't understand mental labor.

Ain't that something?

Went to Falmouth this noon, bought myself some lovely green pajamas.  (Men's.)  They'd just jatch your eyes, my pet.  I'll hand them down to you after the war, dear - they're big enough.  I prefer very large pajames anyway.  Won't it be convenienty having one lot of pajamas for us both after the war?

Had liver and bacon for lunch.  Drove over with Dot.  She's a very wild driver.  Nate Most and I were in the rumble seat, and realized how much the car was skidding.  (It was pouring rain.)  I don't believe she did.

Nate is here from California, and is causing mild hysterics among various members of the institution.  Seems he told Patsy Redfield, comely but ultragullible daughter of the ass't director that we was Villa y Sanchez, great-nephew of Pancho Villa, and that his uncle kept a saloon in Juarez.  Whereupon she spread the story as gospel.  Many funny incidents have resulted.  Anne and I spread the story that he was a bachelor, and anxious to get married, whereupon we were all deluged with a parade of frustrated young damsels.  Most amusing.  (He's married [something].)  He's really very nice.  He and Kirk(patrick) are the nicest ones on the new project (not to be confused with the newest project.)  Alex, Marion + Harry Robinson are also nice.  But I dislike Carter intensely, Bergman revolts me, and I'm puzzled by Don Wilson.  I don't think I like him, but I'm not sure.  Thank God I only work in the same room with them - our project is much more interesting.  But we don't talk about that.  In a way it's a relief - we can't talk shop even in the cage - and talking shop is boring after a while.  And it's sort of pleasant to be talking shop in other directions, and have someone mention D-17.  Whereupon all of us working on it who know what it's all about  (i.e., Doc, Midge, Columbus, Joe Worzel, + I) say very firmly that that's one subject we won't discuss.  Because everyone's dying with curiosity, and they don't know enought to even start talking about it.  (Don't worry, dear, I intent "they" to fer to "everyone.")

​Now for your mail.  Oh yes - I had my hair cut and thinned this afternoon.  It looks no worse and feels wonderful.

​1. Read parts of your letters to the family.  Aunt Alma seemed especially pleased.  And I think Dad was too - he always perks up at the mention of your brains [not sure about that], although he tries not to, as it infuriates Aunt Eva.

2. Darling, I'm just not satisfied with your explanations about Dody.  I'm sure you're hiding terrible things from me?  What's this about her helping you with the dishes?  Were you culinarily unfaithful?

3. Family history:
a. Uncle Fred had a previous wife.
b. I overheard A.G.S., W.P.S., + E.S.E. discussing honeymoons and photography.  A.G.S. said she remembered Will saying he + Margaret took pictures on their honeymoon so they'd know the place if they saw it again.
c. Dad was engaged to a Catholic girl in Savannah named Helen Keogh (?) but Aunt Eva busted it up.  Said it would be a "crime to bring that sweet little Christian Science baby [Maggie] up as a Catholic."  She told him he was an ass not to have noticed the lovely Farmer girls right in his own church.  Well, darling, I am grateful to her for that, on account of you.  I guess she gave your father a good [illegible].  But I chuckle over the description of Margaret, who is ond of X Sci's most bitter opponents.  I'd like to tell her about it - I know she'd be very amused.  But she'd have to mention the subject first herself.

4. Consumption of ice cream cones (it just occured to me that the abbreviation is I.C.C.) is high.  Chocolate preferred, coffee next, then vanilla.  It's not particularly good, although once in a while they get in a good batch.

5. I wrote you about Fat.  Will get more particulars tomorrow.

6. Dot mentioned the money, so I guess it's OK.  She seems to have had a hard time.  I guess their trip to Florida + Texas hurt.  And anyway I'd have given her the money if she'd asked for it.

7. I was reading #1st aloud and before I realized it I read out "I'm going to take a shower now.  I stink."  Ugh.  They were not amused.  (Like Vicky.)

8. Other people are so darned unsatisfactory.  Although Doc + Midge + Anne are pretty nice.  And Kirk.  He's a funny guy and he sort of looks like the Decline + Fall of the Roman Empire.  Blond curly hair, and a very Roman or Grecian face, particularly the nose.  Looks as though he should wear a toga.  Weight 300 lbs.  And a real citizen.

9.  When did you ever have to overcome any objections of mine to a coke?

10.  Sorry I take a long time getting ready for bed.  Don't you want me to look nice there?

All my love, forever + ever

Edie.
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Friday, August 4th

My darling -

I'm about to go to bed early, so this won't last long.  There's very little news.  I suffered all day at work trying to stay awake - hence the desire for immediate retirement.

We sailed tonight.  I hit Oakes' boat getting away from the mooring, but did no serious damage.  I couldn't have helped it once it started to happen.  The main sheet got caught in the skiff as we lft the mooring.  Anyway we had a nice time.  Dad and Aunt Eva came out and joined us after a while, also Bob Jackson, who's here with wife and sister Frances.  You probably know them.  We sailed out and met the steamer, then came in while the sun set.  It was lovely.

We ate at the "Rendezvous," as everything else was closed by the time we got in.

Samples arrived today from Vt. Native Industries.  I'm going to get myself a navy blue dress for travelling, and something for mother's birthday.

I'm going to bed.  I adore you, of course, but then I always will, so there'll be plenty of time to tell you after the war.

All my love, forever,
Edie.
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Saturday, August 5th

My darling -

I wrote you this morning, but might as well go to town again, as a lot has happened.

Kathleen looks very tired - perhaps only pale by contrast with us.  I hope it's nothing more.

We had a wonderful sail this afternoon -- through the Hole to Hadley Harbor, and behind Uncatena to a little harbor.  It was very hot in there, but there were lots of nice yachts in, so it was interesting.  We went ashore on a little island called "Goat's Neck."  We'll have a wonderful time sailing around there tomorrow.  I mean after the war, darling.  Just us.  Other people are such poor substitutes.  I've missed you so terribly, dear -- I guess you know.  I don't know how I could have stood it if it hadn't been for Midge + Doc + Anne.  You'll like them, darling - they're brainy as all heall, and in addition much more than adequate socially.  And those wonderful bridge games last winter.  We'll be able to play in San Francisco, I imagine, if Dave Altman is still at Berkely, although I'm a little vague on the distances involved.

Darling, we now have a mailing address in San Francisco.  Write it down and put it where you'll know where it is:

c/o Mrs. E. W. Wilson
Hotel St. Francis
Union Square
San F.

She's a friend of Aunt A.'s.  I thought that once I yeard you were coming in, in case you were detached and could let me know, I would write you my plans, care of her, you could pick up the mail from her when you get in.  That might save you a couple of Transcontinental phone calls.  I'm not anxious to get there before you as housing is too large a problem if it can be avoided.

I could kill Aunt Eva - well, not really, but I'm plenty annoyed.  She shushes us every time we speak aloud after she retires, but she's frying chicken at midnight and has to have the dining room light on, so that I can't possibly sleep.  I wish I could sleep anywhere the way you can.  Perhaps I'll learn eventually.

It's terribly hot here - I'm tempted to go for a moonlight swim, but I guess I'm too lazy.

No one in the dining room.  I'm going to turn the light off and see what happens.  Good night, darling.  I adore you.

​Forever,
Edie.

P.S. Another funny story: Aunt Alma was going to hang out some clothes after dark, so she turned on the lights in M's and my rooms so she could see.  Aunt E. came along a minute later and turned them out, with a nice lecture on general irresponsibility, etc.  Aunt A. remarked from the dark that that was a very nice lecture, but would Aunt E. please put the lights back on before she hung herself on the clothesline.  Aunt E. was furious.  I could write a book.


There's a Falmouth Enterprise article that I'm not transcribing at the moment because it looks legible enough for now.
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[I might be able to do a better job with this someday, but it's not easy.]

Satuday, August 5th

My darling -

Just a short note to pass the time during working hours.  I'll try to think to enclose some clippings on the bridge nationals.  Doc and Midge are in N.Y. for Annie's wedding, the men are mostly out on the boats except Kirk who's around the building and Carter [I can't make this out].  Annie and I [more stuff I can't make out].

I met Kay [again can't get it - maybe met her at the train].  All the family did except Aunt Eva, she was so flustered [...] she had to stay home and make herself beautiful.  Poor Kay, [...] I hope it won't spoil her vacation.

​Ran into Doris Wilson at the station.  She's at the M.B.L., taking the [something] course I gathered.  [...] Pretty and dark, and a little short and chubby.  She was meeting June Hyde ('43) and Sybil Beckett ('44) also of Braffer.  I bought a short of the Elizabeth I[...] Hope I'll get a chance to wear it.  Gladys was in the [...] with Dot Marvin and some friends.  [...]

The SNAFU [...]

All my love, always
Edie
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Sunday, August 6th.

My dearest -

Did an enormous washing today, and nearly ruined by back by sitting down to do it.  At least I thought so at the time, but I soon recovered.  Two whole suitcases full of clothes, anyway.  Ugh.

Gladys came in during breakfast and M. + K. went sailing with her + Dorothy Marvin and friend.  Said Dr. Dorothy was an utter pill and sourpuss.  Very outspoken in fact a prospective Annie Nathan.

They want SNAFU to race her boat, the LURLINE, which has just gone in the water.  I think we could beat her.  She sails well, but the boat is slow, and I suspect she's overly cautious.  But her sails almost certainly fit better than ours.

Washed dishes, went up street to get the papers, and made the mistake of taking Blondie, who's in season, but who theoretically was wearing plenty of "Cupid-Chaser."  Anyway we were attacked by a vicious police dog and I got the scare of my life.  Finally got home with Blondie's virtue intact.

​Then washed until dinner, helped Aunt A. fry corn fritters, which were delicious, and washed some more until about 5 PM.  Then M., K., Dad, Aunt E. and I went for a terrifically long sail.  Although we didn't leave the harbor.  Kay did pretty well, but she doesn't think quickly and she doesn't get the point of things the way Maggie does.  I mean you ask her to do something and she says just a minute while she fixes her hair, which isn't always a good idea in a sail boat.  But she caught on beautifully to steering, etc.

I'm starved.  Perhaps I can find a cold corn fritter.  I'm sending you clippins about W.H.O.I.  They hint at what we're doing, but of course nothing Doc has done, ∴ we, is in that.  However we did invent the gadgets used by the wave boys.  It's so interesting - I wish I could tell you about it.

Had a hysterical game of Mah Jong after supper - M., K., Dad, + I.  I was on the bottom, or perhaps K was.  I kept trying to get the Heavenly Twins (7 pair) and found it most unprofitable.

Must get to bed.  Wish you were here.  More than last night, in fact.  It was hot as all hell last night.  And you can't seem to realize it's worse for me than for you in that respect.

All my love, forever,
​Edie.

There's an article I scanned poorly (probably I took it to Staples because it was big, and then it was too much trouble to check while I was there to see if it was OK) that I'm not transcribing at the moment because it looks legible enough for now.
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Monday, August 7

My dearest -

It was a wonderful day - four letters from you.  And the family had one besides.  The typing on theirs was much appreciated, as Dad always has Aunt Eva read them aloud (to please her) and having no imaginantion she makes an utter hash of them.  Usually she can't read words and I jst tell her what they are without looking at them.  That makes her mad as hell.  She just can't get it through her head that I know you better than she does.  Rather, it never enters her head.

It's very cold tonight and Joel is under the covers with me.  (For benefit of censor, Joel is a large gray and white cat, neuter in gender.)  Anyway when I started the paragraph he was tickling the bottoms of my feet with his whiskers.  Then he climbed himself on my chest, which somewhat interfered with my letter writing as I couldn't see the paper.  Blondie came in to kiss me goodnight and Joel disappeared in haste.  (Again for the benefit of censor, Blondie is a small cocker spaniel.)  Now he's back on my chest.  Most inconvenient, but I suppose the poor dear is cold.

Kathleen just came in and while she was talking to me my pen leaked all over the sheet.  I am ashamed of myself for being afraid of what Aunt Eva will say, but I am.  And I'm angry at her already for what she's going to say.  Not that she hasn't a perfect right to be angry.  It's just the maniacal way she'll be angry.

I'm going home tomorrow night + to Boston Wednesday for another eye examination.  My eyes are aching when I wake up in the morning, so it's time for action.

Margaret got dinner tonight, and it was delicious.  Aunt E. was furious because we praised it so highly.  But Aunt E. isn't a good cook on the whole.  She doesn't plan meals well and she cooks many things poorly.  But her apple pie is perfection.

​I have a great long list of things to do in Boston.  But I doubt if I'll ever finish them.  And I'll never get up if I don't get so sleep.  I'm afraid comments on your letters will have to wait, dear - I need the sleep.  But one thing - your indications of aid and support on Aunt Eva buck me up tremendously.  And I'll need it for the nastiness about the sheep.  Perhaps I can substitute one of mine for this one.  Funny such a little thing being so serious, isn't it?  But she's just as likely as not to have one of her tantrums.  Funny part is, they're Aunt Alma's sheets!

Good night, darling, I adore you,
Forever + ever,
Edie

P.S. Will enclose clips spasmodically unless you request otherwise.  Would you like communiqués?  I should think you'd get those by radio anyway.

Love,
E.
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 Wednesday, Aug. 9th (for Tuesday)

My dearest -

I said I'd write you a long letter on the way home yesterday, but I never got to it.  I'm writing this on the train back to New Bedford, which is rougher [something].

I don't remember much about work yesterday.  I rode with George Woollard to Buzzards Bay, then took a bus to Taunton.  Dot and Joan and Nate Most were in the car, and [someone] also his the way to New London, so he took the same bus as I and went on to Providence.  He's very homesick for his wife [something] sympathy.

I had time to get a sandwch in Taunton.  Also read a little - Margery Sharp's Nutmeg Tree, which I found very entertaining.  There just wasn't time to settle down to writing you.  I just hate to feel rushed when I do.

We're pulling into Taunton.  The train is one of the filthiest I've ever seen.

I got home at 8:45 last night.  Sat around and talked to the family for a while, then went to bed and finished The Nutmeg Tree.

Now for comments on your letters:

​1) The typed letter was much appreciated - you wrote one.

2) Aunt Eva has cancelled the Monitor subscription.  Just to be sure, I'll do likewise.  I don't think she was hurt - her comment was that she was surprised you were so unselfish.

3) Sent you some maps Monday.

4) It does help a hell of a lot to get some sympathy from you on the Aunt Eva question - more than anything else in the world.

While I think of it, if you've written anything to Kay about M's family [...], it's OK, as she won't get it before she goes back to Washington.

5) Why don't you postpone the letter on finances to your father until around Oct. 1st?  Send it to Atlanta.  Then I won't come under fire.  Besides, he couldn't do anything about it until he gets back to Atlanta anyway.

6) Did I tell you that Aunt Eva frequently announces that, without mentioning my name, someone someone in the house doesn't know how to use a towel properly?

​​7) Will investigate barns, houses, land and cruising boats thoroughly.  I hear there's a big schooner at Hadley Harbor for sale for $400 - supposedly very comfortable.  Sleeps six.

8) Didn't we give your father an order on your savings account in Atlanta?  And I was to pay him the balance?

9)  Your program for the first summer you're back is perfect.

10) I would like to know more about your repairing the fire control gun.  Read about it to Dad and he was delighted - visibly, Aunt Eva not being there.  I'm very curious to know more.

Will try to mail this in New Bedford.  Oh darling I do love you so terribly much.

Yours forever + ever,
​Edie ​
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Wed. Aug. 9th

My dearest -

I'm writing this on the boat from N.B. to W.H.  It's a good deal calmer than on the train.

I did a lot in Boston today.  Got some books and plays:

Learning to Race
The Warrior's Husband (on which By Jupiter was based)
Oklahoma!
I'd Rather Be Right
The Women
The Doughgirls.

also catalogues of plays, as I gather you are as interested in them as I.  Got 6 silver ashtrays in the form of tiny porringers for wedding presents.  Two make very nice presents.  So two are for Delaney, + two for Anne Kidder, and two for the next wedding, whoever has it.  Annie Palmer will go in with me on the one for [...], I imagine.

Something funny just happened here.  A boy of about 9 and a girl of 7 or so (brother + sister, very attractive) are apparently being sent over to the island unescorted: someone who looked like a grandmother put them the boat.  Anyway, the girl had to go.  She wouldn't go into the ladies room without her brother.  And of course he wouldn't go in.  She cried a lot, and finally he persuaded her to go in by herself.  But she wouldn't stay + came out crying again.  So finally he gave up and went in with her.  Whereupon an old lady came out in a huff and slammed the door behind her.

The news on my eyes isn't very good.  I'm to wear my glasses all the time for three months.  He said my eyes were so strained the [...] didn't [...] completely even when I was asleep.  He advised taking a few days off, but I don't see how I can.  However, I'll think about it.  To tell the truth, I'd rather work than be kicking around Aunt E. all day.  Id like to do a little work on the boat, but it can wait.

I do hope Aunt Eva hasn't gone to work and done a lot of my [...] while I've been gone.

​I took daddy to lunch at Steuben's.  It was very nice.  Also took your watch to Kelly's for a new crystal (I squashed the old one) and had my ring cleaned and the stone checked.  It looks so beautiful, darling, but looking at it even though it's nice made me miss you more!  If possible.

​​I took daddy to lunch at Steuben's.  It was very nice.  Also took your watch to Kelly's for a new crystal (I squashed the old one) and had my ring cleaned and the stone checked.  It looks so beautiful, darling, but looking at it even though it's nice made me miss you more!  If possible.

Was looking at Osgood the other day, and saw a problem (fairly early in it) which spoke of a ship's speed as 9 knots per hour.  Tsk, tsk.

The boat is way over an hour late.  I suppose some of the family have been waiting.  I told them not to meet it, but I'm sure someone will have to be a martyr to please Aunt E.

I have no idea where we are.  But we must be getting there.  I read a long time before I started this.  Oh, darling, if only you were here.  It's been so long.  A year ago you were about to start your shakedown cruise - we were in N.Y.  Pretty soon I won't even be able to say that a year ago you... It's a dismal time.  So long.  [Something about going through the Hole at night.]  I may need to know the time.

All my love, forever,
​Edie.
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Thursday, August 10, 1944

My dearest --

I'm typing this because I can go faster, and Margaret is scribbling a short note to Al before going up to the Post Office, and I have aspirations at least toward something a little longer.

​I didn't tell you all the news yesterday.  I saw George Hatch in SteubenIs.  I was so surprised I stopped and stared at him.  He didn't recognize me apparently - I was wearing my glasses -- and was terribly annoyed at my staring at him.  It was really quite funny.  I shall have to tell him about it when I see him again.

The other thing is that my glasses are a permanent fixture for a few months at least.  I don't think I told you yesterday, did I?  Anyway, darling, do you mind awfully if you come home to a bespectacled wife?  I will never have to wear them all the time until I'm fat and forty, and square, squat and very squalid.  But for everyday operations such as walking downtown they may be necessary.  Don't worry -- I won't wear them when you come home.  At least not to bed.  Whic reminds me of the note Maggie just passed me.  Which I enclose.  And see that you don't let on to Kay.  In fact, if you ever mention Al in your letters to Kay, you might say that by the way, Edie tells you he wears a toupee.  Of course dear, that's a thought for you.  Never mind, I'd rather have you bald.  In fact, I'm almost looking forward to the day when people will realize that I married you not only for your beauty, but for your beautiful soul as well.  By the way, do you think we might put ourselves through college writing for some such affair as Modern Romances?  It might be amusing.

Just in case you missed the other letter anent our San Francisco mailbox, after you let me know you're coming home if possible, write me care of Mrs. E. W. Wilson, Hotel St. Francis, San F.  She's an old friernd of Aunt Alma's.  I shall write to her immediately and thank her for being a prospective mailbox.  It would be nice if you would too, but if you don't want to bother, for God's sake don't, darling -- I'm sure my letter will be sufficient.  Will also send you Barbara Brownell Tatton's address, as a second in an emergency.  I will let both Barbie and Mrs. W. know when I'm arriving, then you can find out from them.  I'll also address letters to you care of them.  Carbon copies, or something.

I'm not orking for a few days, trying to rest my eyes.  So M., K., Aunt e., and I went to the Vineyard today.  Did Edgartown and Oak B. thoroughly and had a very nice time.  It was an especially nice idea for Aunt E. to get away.  I gather things were none too smooth during my absence -- she apparently had Kay in tears on the Main Street.  Haven't heard the whole story yet, as I haven't been alone more than a minute or two with M., but will pass it on when it does come my way.

I fell in love with Edgartown all over again.  I don't know but what I'd prefer Woods Hole for just a summer place, but if we ever retire to write the great American something or other, let it be Edgartown, and an old house on the harbor.  I'd like to live there summers if I lived there winters too.  But otherwise the upkeep on the house would be too much work.  People let their houses run wild around here.  But if we were on the island we would of course (of course) have a boat (with an engine as a sort of an afterthought) which we could use for transportation, and park in the Eel Pond when we went to town.  After the first hundred thousand, I'd say.  The yards in Edgartown are too well kept up for summer residence only -- too much time involved.

Kay, Maggie and I rode on the Merrygoround at O. B.  Also Blondie, who sat up on a horse as big as life.  We sat a while and watched some lovely sailboats.  That's a great argument in favor of the Vineyard -- they race Vinehaven 15's, which are infinitely nicer (also more expensive) than Cape Cod Knockabouts.  Oh well, I expect the Vineyard might be very expensive.  But I do love it, except for O.B., I guess partly from having spend so many summers there.  But it would be advantageous in some respects to be near but not too near W.H.  Though those advantages are impermanent, as she can't last forever.

Goodnight, my darling.  I'm going to mail this now.  And I do adore you -- do I need to tell you?

Forever,
​Edie
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Sunday, August 13th.
(for Saturday)

My dearest,

Didn't write you last night because I didn't have the energy to hold my arms up to do it in bed.  We're having quite a performance out here in the living room -- Tigger is crawling around the carpet for the first time.  As I started to say, everyone went right to bed when we got home from the Greens' last night, and I've become rather addicted to typing my letters to you.  It takes less effort, and so I can write. (I wish Aunt Eva could have lived in a college dormitory -- she wouldn't be so unpleasant about noise.  Although I'm hardly the person to complain.)

I read a little in Bob Hope's I Never Left Home before going to sleep last night.  It's very amusing to pick up, but I don't think I'd want to wade right throught it -- the humor's too concentrated.  One line is worthy of repetition - his definition of war strategy: where and when well we strike the enemy, and how are we going to keep Eleanor out of the crossfire?

Yesterday I worked all morning on the most disgusting equation -- every time I differentiated it and set it equal to zero I got an answer that made the function irrational.  Perhaps that means that it had no maximum -- I know it approached zero as x increased indefinitely.  But it seemed to vibrate back and forth around the crucial point.  Maybe dad will take a look at it.  I'm feeling very woozy -- Aunt Eva is using some very strong ham fat for something, and it's really got me down.

I did a lot of washing yesterday -- an attempt to keep from getting so far behind again.  We had a very nice outdoor sowrdfish fry at the Greens' last night, followed by records.  I was pretty sleepy.

Yesterday dad and I trierd to measure the length of the boat.  I think it's 18 ft. overall all right, but I'm not sure about the water line.  I'd say about 15 3/4.  Anyway I want one of our own.

I missed you terribly last night.  But then I always do.  It's so awful, darling.  But perhaps you'll be home for a while in 6 months or so?

All my love, forever,
​Edie

[with a map of the war in Europe]
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Mon. Aug. 15th
​for Sunday.

My dearest - 

​Will start a letter at least, while waiting for Doc to be free.  I'm back at work again - giving it a try at least.  My eyes don't feel to hot, but I think they're improving.

Missy and Anne are out having coffee, as per schedule.

I didn't write you last night, as I worked on some other urgent letters first, and so never got around to you.  I knew I'd never tet to them if I wrote you first.  They were to Mrs. Wilson at the St. Francis in San Francisco, Barbie Braonell Patton in Piedmont.  Will send you her letter soon.  (When I think of it.)

We didn't do much yesterday.  I washed a little, indeed a little, sat around a lot, and generally did nothing.  M, K, Blondie and I walked out Penzance.  Blondie got very tired, and sort of dragged on the leash.  She was quite funny.

Better stop for a while.

Continued during lunch at the drug store.

Since the above I've finished one job and started another.  Had to chase over to the M.B.L. to get some hyperbolic functions tables.  Still no mail, but there were your letters last week.

We played Mah Jong last night.  I'd have preferred to write letters, but they needed a fourth.

​Kay leaves this morning.  It's definite now that she and M. will have an apartment in Washington for this winter.  So you can kill two birds when you write Kay.  I think the arrangement will be good for both of them.  So they should sort of act on each other I should think.  I'd love to be with them but I think Woods Hole is the place for me.

Darling - do you suppose we'll be able to sail when you're in, if the weather is proper?  It would be so much fun to get off by ourselves in a boat.

By the way, we're listing you as a member of the W. H. Yacht Club.  That means more or less that you can barge into other yacht clubs.  Should be a great help.

Must stop now.  I adore you.

Forever, + ever,
​Edie
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Monday, August 15th

My dearest -

When are you coming home?  I've already to leave for the coast on a moment's notice.   It's sort of an unsettled feeling.  And I suppose I'll be feeling this way for another 6 months or more?

I do miss you so horribly.  Aunt Eva is in a vile temper.  Not particularly at me, but the atmosphere is unpleasant.  We should get out and take a [WHAT???] if you were here.

I'm so sleepy I can't think straight.  I don't think this pen is writing very well.  I think I shall try some Scrip & Quink or something at at least will stave off blindness.

I'll enclose Barbie's old letter - it may interest you.  And Higbee's tomorrow.

I'm so sleepy this can't last long.  I'm sorry, dear.  I do adore you, but good night.

Forever + ever,
Edie.

[There's a typed letter from Barbie.  No need to transcribe it right now.]
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Wednesday, August 16th.
(for Tuesday)

My dearest --

I was so tired when I got home last night that I didn't think I could write you a good enough letter to bother trying so here goes now.

Yesterday I worked on an infinite series, trying to find the arc hyperbolic tangent of X equal to 0.9999995.  I got through 350 terms of the series and was still nowhere near it.  Today I got through 900 more terms -- and still was several days from it, obviously.  Then Doc came to my rescue.  the series I was using was

[etc.  Take a look at the letter if you're interested.  I can't be bother with the superscripts right now.]

There was another

[etc. again]

and so I tried it, as I could get the logs from a table to 25 places.  (I only needed them to ten.)  But the answer it gives is clearly impossible.  I found from a table that [etc.] equals 6.00, and I know that [etc.] is infiniye.  Therefore [etc.] must lie somewhere in between -- as a guess at around 8 or 10.  But the second forgives 3.3--------- (can't remember the rest of it.)  Anyway it's wrong.  I don't quite see where I go from there.

If you've managed to last this long, you've done well.  Sorry if I bore you, dear.

I looked up Kitty Smith in mother's Wellesley alumnae magazine, and it says she's working in the testing dep't at Macy's.  In case you're interested.  Joe certainly fumbled there -- although I doubt if he ever had a chance anyway

If you should ever be stationed at SanDiego, I can have a job at the lab there -- very convenient, as it's right in the yard.  Perhaps you could requisition a puptent to live in.

Had dinner in Falmouth last night -- and blew myself to a steak.  It was almost up to Dinty's.  And then we (Hilliard, Anne, the Edmondsons, and I) finished off with some real Napoleon brandy, with the compliments of the owner.  I'm afraid that I must confess it was wasted on my -- I'd prefer some more upto date stuff, such as apricot liqueue.  Tsk, tsk, I'll never make a gourmet.

I was supposed to meet the Bulmers and Maggie afterwards so I hurried down to the theater and waited half an hour, then decided they had already gone in so went in and sat down myself.  Toward the end Maggie and Laura Bulmer came upand tapped me on the shoulder.  They'd been at the other theater!  It never occurred to any of us that we might get our theaters crossed.  It came out all right, as the consensus is that it's pretty funn.

It was late when we got home -- 11:30 -- so I just read a little (to get me in the proper frame of mind for sleeping -- that's a habit I've acquired.)

We're going out to dinner, so I'll mail this when we go uptown.  Aunt Eva is in rare form -- seems she had another tantrum last night.  Strikes me she needs a few years in a good nursery school

All my lover, forever, darling,
Edie.
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August 16th - Wednesday

My dearest -

I've held off pretty well (for me) on Aunt Eva lately, but I'm ready to let go a beast on the effect of her Christian Science on Dad's health.  I don't think I've said much on the subject - I didn't want to worry you on the subject.  I didn't want to worry you.  But it's high time something was done.  As far I'm concerned, she's doing a criminal thing, but I don't suppose she would look at it that way.

1. When we switched ballast in the boat she gave dad 80 pounds to carry, and when we tried to stop him she laughed at us so he had to carry it to save his face.

2. She made a scene on Main St. because Maggie was carrying Kay's bag, which was tremendously heavy, so that he had to carry it.  And she made him run down the street with it.

3. She says his kidney trouble is just old age, and feeds him liquids constantly.

The latter trouble is rapidly getting worse.  He goes to the john about once every half hour during the day, and 3 or four times during the night.  He doesn't go sailing except for short sails, then he makes a beeline for the nearest facilities as soon as he hits shore.  And he's getting worse.  When he came up North he could last out an evening at the Greens'.  Now he goes out 2 or 3 times.  Old age nuts.  Grandpa's 10 years older than he, and had been in and out of the hospital with kidney trouble for years.  But he was never that badly off.  And Aunt Eva will deliberately encourage him to take poor care of himself.

I shall keep my feelings to myself and Maggie on the matter, unless you say otherwise.  But seriously, darling, I should think you might write Kay and Bill.  I think M. will too.  It's not right that they shouldn't at least know something isn't right.  It can't be too serious yet, as he's still very active (particularly in the matter of exercise - walking down the hall is the last door on the right.)  But the sooner something is done the better.  M. is going to speak to Uncle Fred, who is due here Friday.  I think Dad will listen to him. 

​​This is my last sheet of paper, alas.  We're all going to the farm a week from Sunday.  That was about all the news in mother's letter today.  When I was in Boston I ran into a man who lived on Shepard St. in Cambridge but he was the treasurer of the play co. where I got so many plays.  He said he would find out when I could get a tercentennary map of Harvard.  Today I had a letter from him, giving me the information.  So I shall get a limited edition, signed by the auther, at $6.00, and an ordinary one, at $2.50.  Will have the good one framed.

Good night, my dearest.  I do love you so much - so much that I'm conscious of you every minute.  You're not just in the back of my mind, but so much to the for that I can scarcely think of anything but having you home with me.  Take care of yourself, darling.

Forever,
Edie.

[I haven't yet transcribed the letter from Higbee.]
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WHERE AM I?
It is not part of the general lineup of pages in the website.​​
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