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#98 Later Sunday night (#107) Fun hearing about the box of toys from M and F - gosh, it seems to have had just about everything in it! And pleasant to hear about the heavy glass perfume bottles - I knew you were getting them, and remembering your wanting them was pleased. Darling, you couldn't begin to imagine the delight with which I looked forward to, imagined, and now have heard about your Christmas. Meanwhile mine out here was just as I would have had it. I don't want to make any fuss over such things I'm away from home. Was interested to hear of your chance meeting with Mrs. Hurtzburg. Haven't had a chance to look him up yet - have asked around but haven't yet exhausted the island's possibilities. (#108) Even knowing of it in advance, I too was disappointed when your letter came saying that she was asked to stay on at her job and had decided to. I hope there'll be an occasion for her to visit you later on. Meanwhile I'm glad you've made a few friends like Marge. I can't be there to see it, but you might get someone to take a pitcher of your permanink. I'll look for the [?] in the pyjamas (as you spell it, the fancy way) pocket when they arrive. (#109) Something wistful and tender about that sketch of ours. It [pg 2] made me laugh and feel a little sad, an effective reminder of how you must feel a lot of the time still and how I do - quite strongly - once in awhile. The last two or three days have been that way except for your letters. Congratulations on the bank balance - I was really pleased on that. I'm pleased (to skip ahead a letter or two) to know that we've joined the Book-of-the Month Club, as I was to hear of your getting Fleisher's book. Don't spend too much on books and postage, darling, even though they’re the #2 and #1 important items for us right now. - Would like to read that “Petticoat Nomad Among the [A?]” sometime. Could you keep track of such books as that for me to read later? Books that have a bearing on the subject of Japan but that aren't of immediate and compelling interest. Speaking of the mug from Albert, I received a pleasant letter from him in which he said that “I told [Muz] about someone who was contemplating sending flowers to her and asked her what she would like to receive, and she promptly said some Poinsettias. Last night I went by the florist and picked out the best looking one that I could find for $5 and that will be delivered to her today [Dec. 23] with your card.” Glad you’re writing to Jean May. Henry - a little to my surprise, because I really thought that with the best of intentions he’d probably not get around to it - sent me a big box of Naganuma text books and word books from Hawaii, as I’d [pg 3] requested in a letter awhile back. (When I last saw him he said he didn't want them and at the time I didn't realize they would be useful here). Also asked M and F to send my own, mailing them the postage, and now I'll have two sets of the once abhorrent things! But Henry's I don't have to lug around; they'll stay here when I leave. (#110) Your speaking of the way the paper is delivered on a [?] day in Carmel (wrapped in cellophane) reminds me that I forgot to thank YOUR HERALD CARRIER Bobby [Yodike?] for his Season's Greetings. Will you please do so for me? Hard to believe Wendy can stand holding on to the side of her playpen, even if you do prop her to begin with (#111) Never mind about the pajamas, honey. I can get along without them - it's much cleaner living in the tent where I am now, and will be even more so when we’re in Quonset huts. Operations Office is very dusty from people tramping through all day, and the sliding partitions which separate the bedroom from the office are seldom closed because they’d cut off the breeze. I will always be in the market for a camera, though, if you can get one any time. That reminds me - Eversharp has put out a new pen just like the Parker 51. If you’re ever over at the [pg 4] Del Monte ship's service store you might see if they have them. This one doesn't write as well - literally- as the dollar pens that were sold here at the PX for awhile and of which I bought a couple for civilians in the office. I have money put aside for that and will reimburse you promptly. If you find such a pen try it for flexibility and lightness of touch (Which this hasn't got). (a) Broad and (b) Medium preferred, but if it's a good pen any will do. Well, perhaps I better stick to Medium or better. This letter of yours sure smells good, honey. I'm saving the envelope too and the cotton in it. I'm sorry I returned Wendy's bonnet to you so hastily. But perhaps it's better, because I couldn't promise what condition it would return in later if I’d kept it. I'm not sorry about the hankie, because that's even more special and you must tuck it away now. After all, they've both been out to pay me a visit - and I loved getting them and seeing them once again. Tell you what - send me another handkerchief of yours; it doesn't need to be so special, if it's just yours. And now I'm wondering how New Year's Eve went at the Mulligans'! [pg 5] Darling, I hope the casual way in which I mentioned the possibility of our - language and military govt men - ending up in Japan wasn't too cruel in its implications for a long-extended separation. It may not come to be; yet you yourself must have thought of it, and you are just strong enough now to have yourself for the worst. If you do that, any alleviations that may come our way will be all to the good; any that don't you'll be prepared for and won't be left with open hurts to spoil the time when I do come home. You are taking things so beautifully now and I want you to keep on doing so. You’re the only thing, darling, that enables me to stay out here and work even half-heartedly. I want so much to be with you, and don't you even think I'll pass up any opportunity for stateside duty if it should come my way when I get my 30 days leave after 18 months! But I don't think it's likely and I do believe it's well to face the possibilities now. When the time comes for those thirty days I want both of us to live every moment of them, with not a second lost on grievances or regrets. I do believe it will not be another 18 months after that before we are together permanently. It's very late, but I'll permit myself liberties [pg 6] by virtue of my post as duty officer and stay up long enough to answer or comment on or just reread the rest of your letters - (#103) A prep school job might be a good existence in chief, darling, but it's not a good way to work up to college teaching. You speak in this letter of definitely not wanting to go to the Orient unless we have to, a feeling which I now share somewhat - certainly far more than I used to. College teaching on any Oriental subject would more or less imply a year or two of direct experience. It's too early to make up our minds about that now. The things I want most out of life are the same that you do (I often think about that), but a man has to go at such things somewhat obliquely, by way of a genuine occupation which is worth something in itself to him. Perhaps the work for which I'm best fitted is Social Work (I'm not sure of that), but that does mean expensive training, even if alleviated by scholarships. I haven't ceased thinking about our economic future, darling nor am I disregarding [?] possibility, but I don't worry about it and don't want you to. We will manage, and have our home and children. Yes, I do feel as though I am keeping pace with Wendy's growing, and can visualize her very well - in movement as well as just how she looks - from your very complete accounts and abundant snapshots. You do wonderfully at telling about her and I love to hear it all. Just now I’d like to hear more about her teeth, standing up in her playpen (esp. when she does so by herself) - well, [pg 7] about just everything! Just as you've been doing - I don't think you could have missed a trick. (#104) Yes, I am gaining from the experience, darling, a great deal. Once in awhile I don't feel up to it, and then I realize that that feeling is more personal disaffection than anything else: being away from your warmth and love in an artificial atmosphere like this. It's a worthwhile experience in many way; I don't like it, but I continue to grow in it. (#105) Glad to hear that Ruth and Peter Woodman are doing well - will Will be at Fort Ord by himself, of course, and I suppose you will have him over more than once - Evan had also heard from his wife about the pneumonia and I was particularly glad to learn that everything's OK now. I think I am as happy about the flowers as about nay of the things I got you for Christmas. And I am going to plant the poppy seeds as soon as the new Quonsets are built and I can find a little patch in front of the one I move into. Time to close. I adore you. Warren
