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2632 Woodley Place Monday 6:40 a.m. Hi, my beloveds, and top of the beautiful morning! (This time of day here just now is the tops, [?]. It's lovely til about 8 o'clock, when the heat hits you) Just a wee squiggle to let you know I actually got up this morning, even though I can't see straight. I was afraid I wouldn't but my neighbor Major Kruppa's alarm clock went off at 5:45 and made work a little easier for mine at 6:15. And then perhaps I was [pr?] for Wendy's feeding time and easier to awaken therefore. Off to whistle at Hugh now. Before I forget it, though, I'm on watch Thursday night and had better call you Friday (any time between 7 and 8) instead, as I want to work in the office between an early supper and watch. The time [?] will go by, Sweetie! - ‘By now. 6:05 p.m. Well, I survived and even managed to do a good bit of work. I managed to be a model economist today, too, as witness: [?] and breakfast .37 Coffee and doughnuts .11 Cigars .14 Lunch .39 Dinner .30 ____ $1.31 This was a one-day trial plan. It won't last, because .30 dinners are rather unsatisfactory (hamburger, pie, milk, and coffee). However, I can manage nicely on 60 instead of the 81-1.25 we've averaged to date. I wrote the above just to be facetious. (I was going to add explanatorily, “P.S. - Balance $.04) but I remember thinking about the subject of money on my way home last night and the psychological aspects of economic security. We've been speaking of two economist examples of opposite extremes: Hugh and Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson would deny that money was an [?eed] and add that it was a necessary means to an end. - True enough, but because she is what she is, the ends to which it is put are nine tenths not worth pursuing, to say nothing of what you have to give up to get it. Hugh, on the other hand, would not deny that money is important; for the most part he simply wouldn't think about it because to him it is unimportant in relation to other things. [pg 2] 7:30 p.m. My darlings, When I sat down to write an hour or so ago it was pouring rain (one of about 5 thunderstorms today), and that together with natural fatigue made me so drowsy that I just had to take a nap. I haven't really waked up yet, and feel as though I could sleep right through til morning, but I'll try to come to for a few minutes at least. Before I forget, if by any chance you've still got the book section of Sunday's Times, will you save it for me? There's a review of a book by Henry Wallace in it - also, I think, a news story by or about him in the main section. For a long time, to put it strongly but not too much so, Henry Wallace has been to me one of the few white hopes of our American civilization. Our most specific [?] [J?] for Roosevelt without much hesitation, but I have never really trusted him; Henry Wallace I trust altogether. Interruption to slap some luke-cold water on my fact and for the approach of another rumbly thunderstorm. Here comes the rain now, and is it making [?] wet! I love thunderstorms, though. If Wendy's first one bothers her be sure to sing to her or something and don't duck when it strikes lightning. I didn't finish what I was saying before my nap but I can't try to because most of my thoughts of last night escape me now. At any rate, I was thinking of relative values; of how, for me, Hugh stood up under anything Mrs. Wilson might say about him because, if he is a boy in little ways, he is a man in the big ways that men respect; that I would like (whew! That was close - about 500 feet) to be able to manage all our practical affairs without at the same time ever becoming focused on them (as on shortcoming) or even having to give much thought to it. [pg 3] I will continue to try, darling, more because I know that you need that assurance than for any other reason. You have grown so tremendously since we met. Your reaction on Sunday is evidence of that. As our faith in each other grows without our quite being aware of it, to our individual self-trust is strengthened and we are less demanding of each other. At this moment that development seems to me in retrospect an outstanding feature of our married life together. A last word on Hugh before I take him down off his pedestal and tuck him to bed for the night - On the bus this morning I told him (as I wouldn't tell Toni) some of our reactions to Mrs. Wilson. [He?] one wide grin while I talked and the whole thing seemed funny. He said that he used to get exasperated occasionally - mostly because of her influence on Toni, but also because she actually turned some of his friends against him or made them critical of him - but that he realized long since that Toni is influenced only in superficial ways, making up her own mind on the things that count. He laughed out loud when I repeated what she said about her interest in his making money. Jack was pleased to hear about the outing and our using the robe, and promised to tell Simone. Didn't see Toni tonight but probably will tomorrow. Dave [C?] got a long and most amusing letter from Bud [?]. The boys out there work [?] shift, 5 days one week and 6 night the next; pay $40 rent in officers’ quarters and share a room with 3 others, reasonable prices for meals; are sending home their blues (unless they might be sent to Australia; are given to expect leave after 24 months, when common [c?] has the war over. Bud did all the wrong things including forgetting the original of his order (packed in a trunk) and saying that he preferred not to do some routine non-language assignment that was requested of him when he reported early in the day. And nothing happened. [pg 4] Will Ebling was eager to hear how I’d found everything this weekend and several others asked about you and the baby. Your letter of Friday night was [?] as woebegone as you’d let me to expect. Anyhow, I enjoyed it. Don't ever feel apologetic over writing as you feel if it makes you feel better to do so. I feel like reading for just a little while and at the same time I want to get to bed good and early, so goodnight now, my dearest - I love you Daddy
