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#103 Friday 12 Jan. noon My dearest darling So glad to be thru with the pay line, which took a lot out of me this time now that the novelty's thoroly worn off - still have the catchall or straggler's line tonight but otherwise am thru for the day. (#115) Darling, I think I can get three more handkerchiefs embroidered for you, but I’d rather you send that one back for size and pattern before I try - so do so in the next mail (put some perfume on it!) Thank you for the embroidery cotton and needles - I'll give them to whoever does the job. Who thinks my typed letters are good, Bill or Grandfather? I suppose you mean the latter. Wonder if Bill's seeing any of the rather violent action in Belgium lately. I laughed and laughed about Walter Benson - “They always respect an officer” [Like hell they do - and often with reason!] - the suspensory…don't be sure about keeping the natives supplied with T.P. - that's a big and vital job, especially during the initial phase of the evacuation. (Forgive the malodorous pun.) You keep apologizing for looking all sorts of gift horses in the face [should be ‘in the mouth’ - because you can tell a horse's age by its teeth] - don't do that to me, Bob. We’re not running a gossip forum, we’re saying to each other how we feel about things, and it would be an empty correspondence if we didn't. Do you think I don't know you well enough to realize there's seldom malice in your judgments? - Dish it up to me straight, darling, but don't let me scold you for being fair minded - I love [pg 2] you for that. Glad Wendy can get her shots at Fort Ord and that Helen B. is so obliging. It is nice to have someone like that around even tho her personality may not be startling. I'll be looking for the snapshot album. Could you get any corners for it? Such a time as you've had getting Wendy's picture taken! But perhaps it's accomplished by now. I'm really sorry to hear about Marge's leaving. Tell her I hope to meet them one of these days and am glad you've been in such good company. “Over and over again, sweetie”, I love you. It is a simple fact that you are with me, consciously and semi-consciously, more often and more naturally than ever. I've long since lost what trifling amount of concern I ever had for what this separation might do to us, separately or collectively. (#116) No, honey, I didn't draw the hibiscus - the Japanese who arranged for Wendy's handkerchief, which you probably have by now, made it as a sample of the embroidery pattern. Wow! It sure is wonderful about the dividend check. Hang on to it tight. Why not just a $100 end of the month balance and the rest in savings? “A large number of mean are leaving this week, and another next” from where to where? If you feel that information is dangerous to reveal, just leave out dates. Ok to name names if not in large numbers. All this, of course, unless you hear some information from a confidential source, labeled as such. Give me the benefit of the doubt when you can. 5:45 pm This afternoon I had my occasional before dinner glass of beer at the Officer's Club and with it some lobster brought in by our embryonic fishing industry. I feel good tonight in a subdued sort of way, accomplished a lot of little things this afternoon. So glad the freight finally came and that you can get the books off to me soon. Have a use for a number of them, tho I realize it will be some time before they arrive. Please let me know the exact date they were sent and if possible send me a copy of the bill of loading. Off to work on the final stand of the pay line. I love you, darling Warren 9:30 pm P.S. - You may get a phone call from San Francisco from one of my erstwhile colleagues out here - asked him to be sure and call you if he got a chance, and reverse the charges He's a young [warrant?] officer (came here as a petty officer) - intelligent, picked up Japanese beginning on the ship and later working in the civilian store here till he could use it quite well - is well liked by all the men here, and capable. Tall, blond and blue-eyed, roguish and very much on the ball (tho quiet most of the time) -name is Bill Bull. All this by way of background just in case you do get a call from him. He came here at the same time with Charlie, and is returning stateside for new assignment by virtue of the custom of transferring men when they are newly commissioned. W.
