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216 Navy #3247 (Military Govt) FPO San Francisco Sunday 6 May 1945 P.S. to my letter of this morning: McGinty says he's censored two letters which end, a propos of nothing, with the paragraph sentence - “While I'm away, better have the ceiling repapered; get a pattern you really like.” Of course the wife, though she may suspect the answer, writes back to ask, Why? -“Because you’re going to spend an awful lot of time looking at it after I get home.” I've spent a rather pleasantly idle day-or, to put it Navywise, I've spent most of the day f-king off. Officially, it was Tel's day off, though he spent most of it jeeping around in search of 4x4s (he came back with the terrific acquisition of almost a hundred, to be used in framing our classroom hospital tents more solidly before the rainy season sets it), and I had to hold the office down. About all I did after writing you was to sort out a collection of records we've borrowed, show around three groups of men who chanced to drop in. I might even have said, fraternizing (or just fratting) off. The term hasn't gained currency; I've just begun to use it because of the obvious intent of those who set [pg 2] up island regulations on “fraternizing” with the natives; as Helen said in a letter to Charlie, “It seems to me that what they really mean by fraternizing is just fucking” And that's principally what it does, of course; there's a good deal of justification for stringent enforcement of the policy in this respect, because without such “ a lot of young girls who didn't want to be led astray would be getting themselves raped. On the other hand, a number of enlisted men around the island, particularly some of those who work here daytimes and live outside, have been victims of an overly strict interpretation of the term, on the part of those who forget that fraternizing is merely polite for fucking (if such is the case), and insist that everyday social intercourse- five minutes after working hours - is fraternizing: i.e. behaving in a friendly fashion. To my mind the rule was not designed originally to prevent behaving in a friendly fashion and a lot of confusion would be avoided if “fraternizing” were more closely defined. Just to do my little bit toward clarification of the popular and legal usage, I've suggested to Charlie [pg 3] that the new show which he's working up (same cast) for a second tour of the units on the island include a number by one of the usher (pardon me) girls who concludes as she heads off-stage with a wave of her fanny and the words, sotto voce but distinct, -“Frat you, boys” I'm not sure yet whether I've sold him on the idea; most recreation is arranged for by chaplains, and most chaplains are lacking in earthy humor. One chaplain at a unit where Charlie took Nakagawa (head civilian in the Private Enterprise Office, formerly #1 business man on the island - head of the sugar mill) for a forum at which the men fired questions proved himself the least Christian of the group. Nakagawa answered questions about Japan's war aims, etc. so frankly that the majority of the men reacted with respect, though they didn't pull any punches in continuing the questioning. The chaplain, though, was vindictive: so Charlie says. Back to your letters- #241 (April 26) - Cardigan and socks - bathing suit like illustration: mmm, long-sleeved tailored white shirt, Bond St.-doesn't it feel good to go out and by yourself [pg 4] a few things once in awhile! Darling, I love hearing of your doing so, and hope that by the time this very small spree is forgotten you can have one on me. Not that I'm jealous of where the money comes from; I just like you to have it. Sorry you couldn't find the nightie, but there's still a little time left to look for it. Shopping reminds me that, in casual conversation at the dinner table, I've continued to collect names of restaurants and their specialties - only they all happen to have been N.Y. restaurants! Do make a note of any kind of places in San Francisco which you hear of and which sound like fun. Incidentally, honey - if it does turn out that you can know a few days to a few hours in advance of my coming home, whenever that is, so that you can meet me in S.F. - don't you think it would be wiser to leave Wendy with Bev or someone for a couple of nights, and keep [?] back for reassurance? I will be awfully eager to see her - but I want to see you first if possible, daring. (Can't seem to get myself off the subject today!) On the other hand, if you particularly want [pg 5] to take her over to see Mrs. May - no, that can come later, perhaps on a weekend trip for the three of us. In any event, Sweetie, I'll be so damned happy to see both of you that any way it works out will be all right - just so it's soon (I haven't any reason for supposing that it will be. But it has been more than seven months!) The rainy season is due to set in soon-possibly as early as the end of the month. I don't look forward to it. The mud, they tell me, gets 18” deep in spots, and being of a clayey composition it sticks to anything it touches. Fortunately we now have coral walks and roads - must get busy and finish the ones up on the school, progress on which has been held up by the diversion of coral to other priority jobs. I love Wendy's writing paper, and the letter and will try to answer it soon. Somehow I liked Bev for putting the dab of perfume [pg 6] on Wendy's nose and the pink feathers in her hair; it was a characteristic gesture. I should like Wendy to have something of the early poise and emotional maturity of southern girls, the persistent curiosity and more extended intellectual growth of the more attractive but withal earnest easterner. Such a combination would be hard to beat. (Always, tho, the merry touch, the spark of life and readiness to love-) News of the note from Jean startled me just a little - Why? It still disturbs me to hear of her restless wanderings. I think that next to knowing that you and Wendy are healthy and happy. I’m more concerned for her than for anyone I know. So Muz is actually going to N.Y. - or rather the East - good for her. She will be on her way by the time you get this letter. Wish I could hear the broadcasts from the [C?] direct. I do hear a 15 minute news summary almost every day but that doesn't supply the color and the emphasis. [pg 7] (Ten minutes interruption while Mac and I talk about wedding rings. He wears a simple band with a narrow fringe similar to that of yours and mine on either side. A very large proportion of married officers and men wear wedding rings. Before, when I wanted to wear one - the mate to yours - I had no idea that so many men were wearing them currently; I had always rather favored the custom and when you like it too, that was that; I even thought it was uncommon amongst American men. But of course wartime has a lot to do with that.) While I think of it, honey, and before you blame yourself for dropping a cigarette ash or something, I noticed a very tiny hole in the back of what I sent for Wendy's special birthday present (I didn't label it that, but you'll know what I mean); perhaps you can draw it together with white silk thread. Or just ignore it. #227 (4/13) I'm very glad you can wear the “vest, shirt or what have you”. It seemed to me something of a white elephant, and I was sorry because so much work had gone into it. When you send the picture I'll let Mom take it home to show [pg 8] to his wife. Hey - how about some pictures of you! Can't you find somebody who can really take them (I mean as well as you can) and just go to town for a few days? The “vest, shirt etc.” - new cardigan and socks-bathing suit-smiling, straight forward and serious, various poses-in new bathing suit-and one of you in the new bathing suit, if you know what I mean. And lots of others-a whole filmful. Relax, and remember what it is to feel all warm and melting inside, and then smile in a quietly merry way as though you were thinking of some sly secret between us - Knowing how hard it is to get others to take decent pictures of oneself, I'll take anything I can get- #226 (4/12) Roosevelt's death. Almost time now for the flag to go to full mast again. By the way, the 12th was my father's birthday-or did I mention that? Still going to take a sponge cake at Gerry's for Wendy's birthday? - haven't seen Rein in some time, but will be down there for the checkup on my nose about the 15th. [pg 9] #225 (4/11) - The Special Delivery is becoming quite an important institution for us! I don't know why he didn't think of it sooner. Four days - that's good time. Mrs. Shinozaki is an ex-geisha of the higher class who married a young-man-about-town, a rather diffident and not quite surly but intelligent individual who knows a fair amount of English, particularly written, and serves as translator in Henry Graham's Welfare Office. Have had enough letter writing for today and want to read for half an hour before I go to bed. I love you, darling Warren
