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#37 Wednesday, Nov. 1 7:15 pm Dearly Beloved, This afternoon while I was sitting in on some interviewing of civilians in a rain protection shed out in a field near the children's playground (where, incidentally, they were having a sort of toddler's track meet, with relay races and such - after holding the [?] exercises for a new school) your cable was brought to me. For a moment I hesitated, then realized what it was and opened it eagerly. It was so good to get that first communication from you! There was no address on it, but someone had penciled the telephone number where I could formerly be reached at Hawaii; so I suppose you sent it there not long before I left - the day before, in fact. Had I still been there it would have reached me in plenty of time; as it is, it didn't do so badly. Thank you, my darlings. When I got back to the office where the mail is there was a letter waiting for me (#34 of Friday 10/20). It was awfully good to be that close to home again - it does seem far away here now. No newspapers, no radio (somebody has one but you only get one G.I. station) and no time to digest things in. But there are no acute discomforts to complain of.* There is a daily news brief printed for general distribution [?] the [?] of radio reports, and back copies of a few magazines. I'll be awfully glad when the New Yorker starts coming thru - will you change the address for me? Another complaint - I'm still so sleepy every night that I can hardly sustain a simple thought long enough to write it down. *Except in the way of everything that means anything - these same things, and you. [pg 2] I enjoyed writing you from Hawaii so much and would like to continue. Probably I will be able to at noon when I finish the filing job I'm on now in four or five more days - everyone else seems to be able to in our office, the busiest time there being early morning. The dress sounds cute, and I'm glad you wrote Barbara a long letter. Funny, I was reminded of her briefly last night on seeing Waikiki Wedding, by certain expressions of the girl who played the leading role opposite Bing Crosby - don't know her name - you must [?] B. some time. Mother and Father wrote me that they were sending the watch. I haven't replied yet or written anyone but you but you might reassure them that I will do so soon. Can't figure out what you mean by “am going to send Brooklyn an Airmail Special this afternoon” (right after “Phoned Monterey this morning to check on your books, but they haven't arrived yet”) The books probably got sent freight, no? When they arrive and if they have to be recrated, and if you can get down there to see them, will you send me a list of all of them? And take out and mail all 3 or 4 non-language books you think I might like to have sooner ([Sausm?], etc.) I love all your descriptions of Wendy; her vocabulary, her diet, etc. - And the new pictures. You did very well by the house, too. It does seem like forever already. I wonder how long it will be before it begins to seem like only part of an eternity? There [pg 3] is little doubt, darling that I'll be going out again after this tour of sort of training in the field. I'll be a long time, and I hate to think of it. So we must both not merely hold tight but make some sort of life for ourselves on the side, however unsatisfactory it may be. It will help me if you do that, and write me as much about it as you can. I'll be seeing more of Charlie than I have. (At the moment he's typing letters at a desk beside me) Remember [R?] Brown? I've just learned from C. that he's in England - in Military Government! I'll write him, and also Henry, the next time I feel inspired. That should be fairly soon. The after-movie crowd (Bette Davis in “Old Acquaintance” - did we see that together?) has just come in to get out of the rain, which comes down suddenly here, and is making with [Doister?]. (Tel Mook comes in from another movie - Maureen O’Sullivan in “Sporting Blood”, says it was good but that he found it a little unsettling-“I'll settle after a while,” says Charley with lewd implications.) Darling, I will think seriously about college teaching. I’d like it - at least for a few years, and during that time we could get our family started. But it does presuppose further study, since I'm definitely not prepared to teach in any field right now. That would mean a couple of lean years, even though I had a fellowship. But I'll think about it and get every angle I can. Meanwhile you write me any ideas you get on the subject, whenever. And tell me when you [pg 4] think you can begin saving money. You can't count on me for any for at least 6 months, even tho living is very cheap here and there's nothing to spend money on; I used some of what I owe Father for Christmas shopping. I can take care of that in installments, tho, and will. The only thing I, personally, don't want to save on is books, at least a minimum, and other reading matter. If you can put away an average of $25 a month that should be doing well enough for us now, and when Father is repaid we'll buy a bond in addition. By the way, will you write and ask Toni for the name and address of that young history prof from Amherst that we met in her apt.? Oh yes, sweetie, about my bed. Well, it's just an army cot, as I said - the collapsible kind (with no squeaky springs)-comfortable enough for one to sleep in and two to do what I’d give up several nights’ sleep for right now. It has poles about 3 feet high at each corner, supporting a pretty green mosquito net which gives it a sort of cozy feeling. There is no flooring under it - just sand - but Mac and I love boarding between our two cots in the center of the tent. I sleep on a mattress covered by a single sheet, in pajamas but nothing over me. Come in any time. Department of euphemistic occupational categories, as listed on civilian registration cards - “file de joie” (most of them just as “prostitute” - there are maybe [?0]; “bull pilot” for bull breeder. The boys who were taking information down just got tired of being straightforward. I love you very much, darling - and it's so good to establish contact with you again! Warren
