Description
Found the gardenia in the pajamas the first time I took them out from under my pillow - have it pressed in a book. More than ever I love sleeping in those pajamas, sweetie #246 Navy #3247 (Mil. Govt) FPO San Francisco 9 June 1945 6:45 am Dearly Beloved, Yesterday the auditorium was wired, and trucks brought us another 20 or 2 dozen loads of dazzling white coral. I interviewed a prospective teacher for the Korean school, prepared attendance records for May as the first step toward making up the payrolls (payday is usually about the middle of the month following), had a talk with Slicer about the possibility of his getting a medical discharge from the Navy (he's always getting some illness or other, is probably right in thinking that he’d be more useful to the war effort in civilian life), talked briefly on the same subject with Capt. Dodds (who said to consider well before encouraging the move now, because the Navy, according to a recent AlNav, has reached its full authorized complement, a fact which he says means we cannot get a replacement for him) - taught English class last night. Another man is leaving today - I cannot say whom, how or for where until awhile after he's gone. He was one of two or three declared by the Captain to be in excess of complement. It's time the staff was being reduced; like every other MG unit, we were considerably overstaffed. I was delighted to hear that you had had a visit from Mr. Pearson and his wife and daughter. He left about the time we were moving into Quonsets, but that's still recent enough so that he could tell you a good deal. When [pg 2] Andy (Lt Cmdr) Lee finally gets to CASA - he's probably, or was when you wrote, still on leave - you’re likely to have a visit from him. #277 - Please thank Bobbie for his sling shot letter. Be sure to remember that wonderful dream that you ask one to be sure and remind you of when you get home. Why can't you tell me now? I’d love a really sexy letter (I presume that was the theme) from you, for once casting all modesty or apology aside, much as your modesty is attractive most of the time. Remember your letters aren't censored. So - you’re teaching Our Darling Daughter to be a Drunkard! For shame!! (I thought it very funny that she took to beer - I’d have expected an exceedingly wry face.) I’d like to read “Double Ten.” Is it worth buying? Am eagerly awaiting news of Wendy's birthday. #278 - How old is Mr. Pearson's youngest daughter (about)? - Glad about the exchange of picture negatives. Thanks for the tip on testing the ripeness of a pineapple. By leaf, do you mean one of those at the top? Darling, perhaps you should set Janie Mook at rest. Tel isn't getting any balder; ordinarily, in the States, he wears his hair 3 or 4 inches long, and it then covers his whole head. Out here, very sensibly (and [pg 3] more likely to slow done or check baldness than to hasten it), he has it cut to ½ inch or so. Being quite blonde, moreover, his hair reflects the light in a photograph and looks sparser than it is. Do you mean seriously to compromise gray hair with baldness? The latter, like false teeth, is a certain blow to one's vanity, however inevitable in some cases. But I don't see the connection between feelings about these phenomena and those about grayness. I'm rather attached to what few gray hairs I have and I should like to keep them, if it doesn't mean the end of the world to you. I'm usually taken for a little younger than I am and therefore have nothing to lose in that respect. But it's mainly that being a man I don't like to tamper with such things. (In the end, I suppose, I shall have to compromise on the gray hair as a concession to the gold inlay, since every dentist I've seen tells me I’d be foolish to replace it. There again I don't like to tamper, anyhow - function is often the source of beauty, or sets the standard for it; even when it doesn't, it comes first.) I think you’d better get “Double Ten” for me, after what you say about it. Am actually doing some reading these days - have almost finished a little book Henry May gave me in Hawaii: “Nippon: the [pg 4] Crime and Punishment of Japan” by Willis Lamott - a less sensational book than its title might suggest, and a rather good basic treatment of Japanism. I expect to go on from that to “Volcanic Isle,” which I've only browsed in, and “Government by Assassination,” which I bought in Hawaii. No further word on “God, Mammon and the Japanese”? #281: I'll send back a pair of pajamas as soon as I can, Sweetie. The second one arrived before I had time to break in a pair for you, but I'll do so beginning sometime next week. I've got to get the most out of these first - it just makes me feel warm and relaxed and close to you when I'm in them. I feel as though I can reach out and find you there, and instead of being a frustration it's a feeling of promise. Walter told me about going back aboard the ship he’d been hit on - I take it that Oliver Benson, if he was aboard, was not hurt; at least Walter named the few of the 8th Section who were, and his wasn't amongst their names. #283 - Glad you like the seed “jewelry.” Am waiting for your answer to my just-received special. Off to work- I love you Warren
