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#177 (I think - lost track when I bought some new envelopes) Navy #3247 (Mil. Govt) FPO SF Thursday 22 March 6:40 pm Dearly Beloved- I think I'm safe from interruption tonight! Tel has taken over the school movie for the evening, altho it was my turn to drive the operator back - says he hasn't had a chance to talk to Ikeda (Jap. School Principal) in a long time and has invited him to go along. Two good letters from you today - 189 (Mar. 9 - took a long time): Awfully sorry that Wendy has had two colds already. I had rather hoped that she’d escape having as many as I guess I used to. What is the average for all children (number per year); does it tend to increase or decrease as they grow older, or is it impossible to generalize? Yes, won't it be exciting when she begins to talk!! Easter package from M and F - I’d completely forgotten about Easter, but it was fun to hear about the Easter bunny and the celluloid red fish and swan (she'll be playing with them in a big bathtub before very long, won't she?) - and the Sherry chocolates. Incidentally, I eat much more candy here than [pg 2] at home (not counting the times when you have a box and I eat two-thirds of it) - for two or three weeks. I average a whole gooey 5¢ bar daily. Then I forget about it for a week ago. (Had my teeth cleaned recently: no cavities, except for some old ones which should be replaced and which I am to have attended to when the new hospital unit gets set up here. The birthday box for you and Wendy will arrive about halfway in between the two days. I imagine, sweetie. I'm gradually getting it together now. If you don't expect too much I think you'll enjoy it. Yes, I do think a drink before dinner is a very pleasant and civilized custom- I'm glad you’re learning the fundamentals now, so that we can take it up naturally when I return. Fun to hear of Dana's telling you of a letter from Steve in which he mentioned Fran's seeing me. 191: So the Bensons have left - yet, it will be hard for Helen to come back. Maybe you can help her over the rough spots in some little ways. Yes, I suppose Ernie Pyle will be moving [pg 3] on soon. He was on this island for a day or two but didn't come around here. Johnny Reif was down where Pyle is staying for 3 or 4 days early this week (on an intelligence mission) and had a couple of drinks with him at the bar. Said he didn't seem particularly interested in staying around here. Do hope my Life subscription wasn't canceled because we are beginning to clip and caption things for the school bulletin board now. Thank you for sending the baby oil, darling - can't get any substitute at either dispensary or gallery right now, although the latter promised me some salad oil next time they get it in. And for the present from Wendy, which I know I'll love seeing, to say nothing of the cookies, sardines and canapé spread. No, I didn't mail Pat the Bunny! (I was thinking I had, when it occurred to me to look and see) I'll [pg 4] do so (airmail) within 2 or 3 days, as well as returning Dorothy Parker, The Tempering of Russia and Monterey Peninsula. (Rein returned the last by a friend - I've a tentative date with him for Saturday night; he's to confirm it by phone tomorrow). It made me feel very good to read “….I loved her when she was tiny, but now I appreciate her even more, I think. I don't feel completely engrossed in her to the exclusion of other things, but I do enjoy her to the fullest. She will delight you, because she is just exactly what a little girl should be - our little girl. Don't know about 35mm - have a roll now and expect to use it one of these days - yes, perhaps it would be a good idea to have another. If you send me one airmail I'll borrow a camera for a couple of days, take half a day off and take both rolls. Thanks for the book references - Patric sounds good enough to buy. How much is it? And now back to where I was last night, in brief - 160: I'm still (your underlining) quite willing to give you a whole year after [pg 5] I get back, and will try hard not to tempt you. Sweetie - please cut “jabber” out of your vocabulary when I'm around - don't know why - but it's always annoyed me. Don't mind Bev's “jabbering” because that's what she does, but you don't and the word sounds extravagant and a little unpleasant. Yesterday I took the napkins over to Inouye and found he couldn't draw on them (too coarse a weave). He will, however, be able to do something with the silk or rayon scarf when it arrives. I may have the napkins embroidered, and if you don't like the pattern or if it's inappropriate you can snip it out without (I should think) doing them any harm. Friday 7 a.m. I was beguiled by a passerby into a crap game at the club. Was in the mood for it and thought I might pick up a pair of shoes for baby, but I came out, finally, two or three dollars behind after two hours of playing. It's excellent recreation, however, and I'm still somewhat ahead in the long run here. I dreamt of you last night, darling, and it was sweet. I love you Warren
