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XXI Sunday 15 Oct. 10:30 am My dearest darling (That's your expression - do you mind if I borrow it?) I'm afraid my last letter must have sounded very dull or at least over serious. Being away from you may intensify my serious moments somewhat but it also intensifies certain little joys, like the surge of feeling each time I read a letter from you. Believe me, I am concerned that (questions of happiness of contentment aside) I am in a fruitful and positive place, and have both energy and purpose enough to meet it. To judge from your letters, much the same thing is true of you. Deprivation of some things seems to sharpen one's appetite for others, and while I should never argue for asceticism or self-denial on those (the only possible) grounds, still I think of Rebecca West's excellent statement on that [?] a certain modicum of self-discipline looks in the interest of greater capacity for enjoyment of pleasure. Read her essay in I Believe. Now I feel as though I've said enough on this subject (in a didactic way) for some time to come. And I'll try to mix up my letters to represent the many moods I feel during the day, some exceedingly pleasant, rather than settling down at better writing time to just a serious one. It would be best if I could always answer your letter at the moment I receive it, but of course I can't always, and I don't like to postpone opening it. Have just received the snapshot folder and am delighted both with it and with its contents. So that's why you didn't send my most favorite picture of you sooner, foxy one! (I enjoy that - and that reminds me that I am not opening any Christmas presents till you open yours, not a one - and you’re not to either! It doesn't matter a bit sweetie, how much or how little there is - it's just [pg 2] the idea of joining you in a little ceremony and picturing you at home engaged in the same thing - I can visualize it so well. [For some reason the folder took longer than regular letters even tho it came airmail special - 11 days, to be exact] I think I forgot to tell you that I received the proof - what a wonderful picture of little Sweetie! You, darling, looked a bit tired, but perhaps will look less so in the finished picture. (I will not wait to open that when it comes - or of course any brownies you might send - so be sure to mark everything else “Do Not Open…”) Anyhow, I like it. Gosh, I hope the books come thru all right, and in one piece - hey, did you get the book box out of the back of Bev's car? I bet she just drove of with it and both of you forgot it! I was just going to say - if the books are in bad shape when they arrive, could you take a taxi to Monterrey with the box and get someone to repack them, getting them off right away? They’re awfully important and I will need them, though I can manage without for a time. If you don't have the box, try to have one made - [?] go the same place and buy another, that’s better, perhaps. But wait and see what the Monterrey Express Office reports. Have just heard that my valpack is here and I'll probably ship it back after taking out a few things - maybe keep it and just return some suits (We've been [pg 3] issued two sea bags, and I have to take the suitcase for books - The latter I may have to discard along the way later on if it doesn't stand up. My briefcase is indispensable - awfully glad I brought it.) Did I tell you I went to the dentist - yes, I think I did. Go get yours over with, sweetie - it probably won’t be as bad as you think. Glad you like the “Tempering of Russia” - I had borrowed Henry's copy but will return it and wait for you to send ours, as I have enough to read for now. I've read most of “Tortilla Flat”* and despite the fact that a couple of colleagues seeing the title have commented - “Are you reading that junk?” I do enjoy it, laughing on every other page. I’d have to read a lot more Steinbeck to appraise him for myself, but I find this book very entertaining. It's one I’d rather like to read aloud, swapping off with you and finishing it in 2 or 3 sittings. Mailed your Christmas package yesterday, special delivery and [?] and also finally got around to sending the Christmas cards. If you don't like the motif don't send them, honey - I wasn't really satisfied with them. I think there's even time yet to send me a batch - you could write on them this time and I mail them from where I am. I'm getting a letter regularly every day now (Have all thru #24). I hope mine to you have settled down to an even pace. Love your new stationery - very nicely printed. Wish you could write me on it - but it wouldn't be practical. (The snapshot folder stands on the office desk in front of me with Wendy looking so precious, you your most charming. It's an especially nice thing to have.) *Was interested in the clipping about Steinbeck and also in your section of the [?] family. Could we get “reheat with Silence” even tho you've read it? - Henry [?] read some of Steinbeck's earlier stuff and like “Pastures of Heaven.” [pg 4] Proof of my morale and physical condition (the latter I wouldn't [?] about too much, tut…) - Last night I had five bourbon and sodas before dinner with Henry, John, and some of the latter's friends over where he is stationed, without feeling woozy, unsteady or otherwise under the weather - just felt swell and enjoyed the evening. We came home (nuts) back and turned in early and I slept well. John and Henry were amused at the 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th hand accounts of your visit to Mrs. May and meeting with Margerita, etc. - I think you will like John. Henry is playful in bursts, usually more sober; John is more constant in his playfulness, which is also of a very pleasant variety. He is a somewhat easier and less nervous person that Henry, more likely to be extravagant in his expression, whereas Henry chooses his words (including humorous ones) carefully and often underlines them in speaking. There are many resemblances between the two, of course; now and then a trace of older and younger brother relationship, sometimes banteringly. Though there is 7 years’ difference between them, Henry is sometimes mistaken for the older. Henry was talking about his father the other evening - both boys admired him greatly, but from a distance, and were in awe of him. He was very much older than Mrs. May, who Henry says was too softly maternal when they were young (because too dependent on her quietly forcible husband) and has developed much of her charm since Mrs. May's death. John, I observed on first seeing him, has pointed ears and a face which make him look a little pixyish. I was intrigued when on my first glance at a picture of Margerita I thought that she looked like a pixie too. Any confirmation of that? I don't [?] put any more into this letter so I guess I'll have to start [?] one! I love you dearly Warren
