Dear Mabel:

Your letter just came-- I was convinced that you were
mad-- how silly--''Look we have to leave sooner than I expected to--
John wrote that we must be there before the end of August-- or they
could keep a house for us as there are some many families
wanting them-- so I have been packing like fury-- have to take everything
g-- kitchen ware-- china-- blankets-- everything-- aslos have had to be
store the china- silver in Ellsworth-- also get a drivers license--
had the insolence to wire the Gocernore of the state-- and ask him to
see that I got it in a hurry-- so I get it Monday-- and I am still
rather astonished--''

Sister will stop off with Patti and Donnan Jeffers in Ohio-- and then
go on by train later-- so the Pink house will be heaven'' that is if
our coming sooner does not upset things-- but even so-- there are Inns--
John says it was 136 in the Sun the other day-- but that later on the
weather is wonderful-- its two hours by car from Phenox-- so you
must know what it is like--- Yore right the Job for John is Heaven
Born-- and he is doing a terrific job-- but apparently in the process
has lost all human contact-- his letters are full of commands-- and
no affection--We sent him a Father's day telegram which he dident even
refer to when he wrote-- but I cant complain-- if I do loose a lover
I shall have gained a man andone who will be providing for the Family--
what more could any wonam ask-- this love business is very much over
done anyway-- at my age it isn't so much who I will sleep with but more
where shall I sleep--''I have ordered F' ranks book it sounds wonderful

2 do give him my best respect and hearty best wishes for a fine sale--
and much Honour--.''''

A telegram from Nicky and Pagie who are arriving-- arriving Monday''
Heavens-- and we leave probably on Friday after that-- well I shall
turn over the house to them and let them close the house-- I rather
like the idea that the Garden will be used-- and not wasted--

I must run now as lunch has to be got-- my life is a rush between
meals and dish washing-- Drum killed all our chickens-- I cant bear
to look at him now-- I qent out in the morning to feed the chickens
and found nothing but corpses-- strewing around-- and a flutter of feath
feathers-- and Drumlicking his chops --This Morning our cat Dilly--
got his tail caught in the window-- he will only leave and enter the hou
house by that special window-- and I left let it down too soon--

Sister took the Goats off and gave them to a Family-- and the children
wrer most tearful--'' the Sky over the house is hissing with aeroplanes
I have counted about fifty this morning-- which means there must be
submarines somewhere-- sunk sailors are being landed all the time--
what distress-- what a world--'' how very mad the whole thing is--.
Now I really must stop--

Much love and thank you for wanting us and being kind.

Love

Dearest Mabel:

I sent Sister a telegram just when I got yours--
but I am afraid that she was in Miami with Marlis seeing Nappy
who is in training there--but she should be back now--
We had a lot of fun in Los Angeles-- went to the Rose Bowl
game and I loved it-- we got back last night-- the kids very sleepy
but looking much better after their bout with chicken pox--
Gee I am so glad you are feeling better--you must be or you wouldn't want to be seeing people--

I don't know when I'll be in NY or even if I can-- I'll do my
darndest too-- I have to hear definitely from Nappy when and
if he is going to get married-- he will have to rush off to another
training place almost at once after he becomes a Leuitenant --
as they have put him in the intellegance de-- which is wonderful
he hardly ever writesme -- but Sister will have seen him and she
will know all the facts-- Marlis is a darling I hope you see her--
lovely to look at and terribly nice-- the sort of person who will
develope into something pretty fine--

I hope the bottle of cologne has arrived-- although it probably
isn't time yet-- I got it really for the bottle which I think is
lovely-- also it is french-- I couldent smell it having the sniffle
s and besides it was tightly corked-- so if its awful-- forgive
The food shortage is awful here-- but worse I think in California--
we had dinner with some friends there-- and they produced with
great eclaie a pound of butter-- the first in three weeks--
also we havent had butter hear for about that time-- no bacon--
and no eggs-- and meat very scarce and terribly expansive--
and no cans of anything but soup and juices-- when one shops only
once a week it makes it hard to get almost anything--

They are all last putting in heat here-- which will make all the
difference-- its been icy--

2

How I wish the War were over-- there were so many Soldiers in
Los Angeles-- all being so gay-- it horrifies me to think what
they have to all go thru--

Pat is over in London on his way to Africa--Josie is still very
angry and for some reason or other includes me in it-- her letters
are very rude and insulting-- I suppose she feels frustrated--

I am so cold I can hardly write-- and it seems to have affected
my spelling-- but my brain is so frozen I cant tell what is correct
and what is not-- and I can usually do that at least--

Thank God the kids are all right-- it was awful keeping them in
bed in this bitter little house-- and then when they felt better
to have to keep them in until their spots had gone-- was something-
they tore the whole place to pieces--

Well goodbye now-- I'll write again almost at once-- have a lovely
time and much love to you from us all.

APARTADO. 47 TAXCO.

GRO. MEXICO.

DEAREST MABEL'

JUST A SHORT NOTE'' BECAUSE I FEEL THAT YOU WILL FIND
THE WRITING VERY CLEAR'' ANOTHER NEW RIBBON BUT THIS TIME IT IS A
GOOD ONE'' THE LAST I GOT I AM AFRAID WAS SECOND HAND'' SOMETHING THAT
SOME ONE HAD THROWN AWAY AND SOME MEXICAN GENT HAD RESOLD''

I HOPE YOU
DIDENT THINK ME A MISS FOR NOT ANSWERING YOUR TELEGRAM AT ONCE'' BUT
WHEN IT ARRIVED I WAS IN MEXICO WITH BONNIE ARRANGING ABOUT HER SCHOOL'
I AM HAVING A MOST ELEGANT TIME LIVING HERE ALL ALONE'' EVERY BODY THO
SEEMS TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME AND LIFE IS A MASS OF DINNER DATES'' WHICH
IS VERY PLEASANT' BUT NOT NECESSARY('' I PAINT LIKE MAD ALL MORNING''
AND TROT AROUND TOWN DOING ERRANDS IN THE AFTERNOON'' THE WONDERFUL
AURORA WHO COOKED FOR US LAST YEAR IS STILL HERE AND SHE IS A DARLING''
I FEEL ALMOST WEAK WITH GRATUDE FOR IT ALL'' BY NEXT MONTH I MAY FEEL
ISOLATED' BUT THEN I HAVE TWO DEAR FRIENDS COMING TO STAY WITH ME''
ELLIE HOUGHTON'' AND TWO SONS'' AND THEN ROSIE CURTIN'' TWO OF THE
NICEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD'' JOHN IS SPENDING THIS WEEKEND WITH NATALIE
AND BILL'' RWEDY* REALLY TO SEE TISH WHO CALLED HIM UP AND BEGGED HIM
TO COME AS SHE IS GOING TO TUSON TOMORROW TO PUT ON A DANCE FESTIVAL''
COULDENT YOU GO AND SEE IT'' SHE WILL BE DANCING AND EVERY ONE SAYS THAT
SHE IS WONDERFUL'' NAPPY AND MARLISS WILL BE AT NATALIES ALSO''
THE HEAD MASTER OF THE SCHOOL WHERE SANDY GOES WROTE JOHN A VERY GLOWING
TRIBUTE TO SANDY'' IT WAS UTTERLY UNCALLED FOR'' HE JUST SAID' I THINK
YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW HOW WE ALL FEEL ABOUT SANDY'' AND THEN HE WENT ON
TO SAY HOW MUCH HE WAS LIKED'' ADMIRED'' HOW RESPONSABLE HE WAS'' AND HOW
HE THE MASTER WISHED THERE WERE MORE LIKE HIM IN SCHOOL'' JOHN IS SO
PROUD HE CAN HARDLY SPEAK'' HE SENT THE NOTE ON TO ME AND MERELY SAID''
''MY GOD WHAT A WONDERFUL SON TO HAVE'''' WELL I HAD BETTER STOP' THIS IS

BAGADUCE FARM
WEST BROOKSVILLE
MAINE

DEAREST MABEL'

HOW GORS IT IN YOUR STAR HUNG WORLD''? HAS THE FINE WARM WEATHER ARRIVE TO STAY YET''? HERE WE CATCH GLIMPSES' BUT THEN IT RUSHES OFF AND ONE IS LEFT SHIVERING'' AND I HAVE HAD A COLD FROM THE DAY WE ARRIVED' THE DENTIST HERE TOOK ONE LOOK AT MY MEXICAN TEETH AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NEVER DO'' WHICH I AGREE WITH' SO I BEGIN ALL OVER AGAIN'' I ONLY GOT THE TEETH AS WE LEFT ON THE WAY HERE' THERE ERE A SERIES OF HOLY HOLIDAYS FOR THE THREE WEEKS BEFORE WE LEFT IN WHICH THE DENTIST DID NO WORK ' SO THAT THE DENTURES'' WHAT A HORRID WORD' WERE NOT FINISHED AND SO COULD NOT BE TRIED' SO' HOW VERY MEXICAN''

BONNIE IS SPENDING THE DAY IN BED OUT OF SWEET EXAUSTION'' HAVING BEEN FLEEING ALL OVER THE PLACE'' PLAYING BASEBALL AND DOING A HUNDRED AND FIFTY VITAL THINGS IN SHARP CONTRAST WITH THE GENTLE LIFE OF MEXICO''

THE MOUSE IS BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE AGAIN'' BUT LORD WHAT AN EFFORT IT WAS TO GET IT MOVING AGAIN'' JOHN IS DOING A LOT OF WORK IN THE GARDENS'' HE HAS PLOWED AND FARROWED THE VEGETABLE GARDEN AND MOWED ALL THE GRASS WHICH EXPANSE IS GREAT AND INCLUDES THE TENNIS COURT'' ALL THIS HAD TO BE RAKED BEFORE IT COULD BE MOWED' I HAVENT SEEN HIM AS ACTIVE AS THIS FOR YEARS SO I FEEL VERY PROUD OF HIM AND I KNOW IT IS GOOD FOR HIM'' AND I DONT MIND WORKING SO HARD WHEN HE IS WORKING TOO'' YOU KNOW''. THERE ISN'T MUCH NEWS OF ANY KIND SINCE NEWS DOSENT GATHER HERE MUCH'' PAT AND JOSIE WERE IN EUROPE WHEN WE PASSED THRU THERE SO WE DID NOT SEE THEM'' BILL MAULDIN HAS GONE TO EUROPE TO ACT IN A MOVIE'' WE TALKED WITH NANCY ON THE TELEPHONE THE OTHER DAY AND SHE SOUNDS FINE' SHE SAYS THAT ALICE IS GOING TO EUROPE SOON'' I IMAGINE THAT NATALIE IS STAYING WITH HER MEANWHILE'' ALTHOUGH I DONT KNOW'' SHE IS HAVING A BABY NEXT MONTH''

I HOPE SHE WILL BE ALL RIGHT ALONE LIKE THAT'

ARE YOU COMING HERE THIS SUMMER OR NOT? WE SHOULD DEARLY LOVE TO
HAVE YOU' LOTS OF ROOM' I DO HOPE WE CAN GO TO MEXICO AGAIN NEXT
WINTER AGAIN'BUT ALL THAT IS SO FAR AWAY'

I HAVENT QUITE UNPACKED

YET' SIMPLY HAVE NOT HAD TIME'BUT AM CATCHING UP' ITS HARD TO
BE A SLAVE AGAIN AFTER THE LADY LIFE IN MEXICO BUT I AM GETTING USED
TO IT AND TAKING THINGS WITH MORE GRACE AND LESS RUSH'

HOW NICE THAT YOU HAVE RAFFELITA AND CESERITA WITH YOU WHAT DARLINGS
THEY ARE PLEASE DO GIVE THEM MY LOVE' WHY DONT YOU SELL A LOT OF THINGS
AND GET THE TAXES PAID AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY' IF I GET MY PLAY PUT ON
I'LL SEND YOU A NICE FAT CHECK' THATS EASY ENOUGH TO PROMISE BECAUSE
THE CHANCES MAY BE SLIM' I HAD A LETTER FROM LAURANCE LANGNER OF THE
THEATRE GUILD WHOM I SENT THE PLAY TO LAST NOVEMBER AND WHO HAS HAD IT
EVER SINE AND WHO WRITE ME** THAT** HE SEES MUCH BEAUTY IN THE SCRIPT AND
THAT HE FEEL THE PLAY WOULD BE VERY MOVING BUT THAT HE ISNT SURE THAT IT
HAS ENOUGH AUDIENCE APPEAL' BUT THAT HE CONTINUES TO LIST IT IN HIS
" HOPEFUL AGENDA" OF PROPERTIES THAT MAY ONE DAY COME TO LIFE""

NOW I ASK YOU'DOSENT THAT SOUND TOO TOO PRECIOUS' ANY WAY I HAVE SENT
FOR THE PLAY AND WILL SEND IT OFF SOMEWHERE ELSE' DONT YOU THINK IT WOULD
BE STUPID TO JUST LET IT SIT THERE UNTIL THE DAY WHEN THE HOPEFUL AGENDA
CAME TO LIFE'? ITS ENCOURAGING I SUPPOSE' BUT WHAT'? I AM REMINDED
OF THAT NOBEL ELEPHANT WHOSE PREGNANCY TAKES A TIME OF NINE YEARS TO
PRODUCE THE BABY ELEPHANT' I SUPPOSE IT HAS INFINITE PATIENCE' BUT I
HAVE NOT' ANY HOO'

LOVE TO YOU AND TONY'

DO WRITE.

APARTADO 47 TAXCO GRO MEXICO.

DAREST MABEL'

BEHOLD A NEW RIBBON' BUT NOT MUCH BRIGHTER THAN THE LAST'
WE MOVED DOWN INTO THE BORDA APT YESTERDAY' STILL NO SCHOOL FOR BONNIE'
BUT I AM IN HOPES THAT SHE CAN GET INTO THE SCHOOL THAT LITTLE COOKSIE
GOES TO IN MEXICO' IF THAT FAILS I SHALL HAVE TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE' I
FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SHE GOES SOMEWHERE' THERE IS NOTHING HERE'
AND I CANT CHASE HER AROUND ALL DAY' I THOUGHT OF HAVING HER TAKE SPANISH
LESSONS BUT THATS ONLY AN HOUR A DAY' WHAT A PROBLEM' I HAD THOUGHT
OR ASKING YOU IF YOU COULD HAVE HER THERE IF NOTHING ELSE WORKED' YOU
DID MENTION THAT' BUT I HATE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANYTHING' YOU KNOW'
DO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FEEL AND THINK ABOUT IT ALL' IT MAY TURN OUT ALL
RIGHT OF COURSE'

BOB IS HERE AND ENJOYING IT' EDWARD WENT OFF TO
MEXICO CITY' THAT DIDENT TURN OUT TOO WELL' HE WAS ALMOST ALLRIGHT UNTIL
BOB ARRIVED' AND THEY DIDENT LIKE EACH OTHER AND EDWARD COULDENT COPE'
HE REALLY NEEDS SOME ONE LIKE YOU TO KEEP HIM INC CONTROL' SOME ONE
HE WOULDENT FOR THE WORLD OFFEND' DO WRITE TO HIM' BUT YOU WILL ANYHOW
HIS ADDRESS IS AMERICAN EXPRESS. MEXICO CITY'. JOHN HAS A NEW ADDRESS
DID HE GIVE IT TO YOU IN CASE HERE IT IS' 3332a. P STREET NORTH WEST.
WASHINGTON. D.C. HE SOUNDS WONDERFUL' FULL OF FEP' WONDERFUL'
SO SORRY THAT YOU HAD SUCH AN AWFUL TRIP' BUT THATS OVER THANK GOODNESS'
HAVE BEEN UNOASKING ALL MORNING AND MUST RUSH NOW TO CATCH THE MAIL'
WILL WRITE YOU AGAIN ALMOST AT ONCE'

LOVE,

DEAREST MABEL'

I LOVED LEO STEINS BOOK' MOSTLY BECAUSE HE SAID SUCH
TRUE THINGS ABOUT YOUR BOOKS AND YOU'' BUT I FELT SO SORRY FOR HIM''
BUT I SUPPOSE THAT IS THE WAY ONE MUST FEEL FOR ALL SENSITIVE INTELLEGENT
PEOPLE'' THE OTHER BOOK YOU SENT'' DIANTHICKS'' DIANOTHICKS''?? OR WHAT
EVER IT WAS'' I COULDENT READ'' IF ONE HAS TRULY SOMETHING TO SAY ONE
DOSENT HAVE TO INVENT NEW OBSCURE LANGUAGE TO SAY IT WITH'' I FEEL THAT WE
WAY ABOUT GERTRUDE STEIN AND JOYCE AND SOMETIMES FAULKNER'' THE IDEA IS THE
THING''BUT IF IT ISN'T THERE THEN LOAD IT DOWN WITH SCENERY'' BUT AFTER A
WHILE IT WEARIES ONE''

GUESS WHERE I AM''? I AM IN BED'' AND WITH FLUE''
AND THERE ARE TWELVE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE'' BUT MOSTLY YOUNG SO THAT CAN
COPE'' I HAVE A FEVER WHICH I LOVE'' A SORT OF SLOW TINGLE IN MY ARMS''
JOHNS UPPER LIP GROWS LONGER AND LONGER'' HE DOSENT LIKE ME BEING IN BED
RECLINING LIKE SOMETHING AT MADAME TUSSAUGS WAX WORKS'' I AM NOT AS SICK A
S I PRETEND REALLY'' ITS FUN TO SQUINT OUT OF ONE BLEERY EYE AND SEE JUST
HOW CONCERNED OR NOT CONCERNED EVERY ONE IS'' TOMORROW I SHALL BE UP' AND THE
HOUSE WILL BEGINS RUNNING EASILY AGAIN'' I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO
MEXICO NEXT WINTER' BUT I AM FULL OF ENVY ALSO'' WE JUST WONT GO ANY WHERE
WE SHALL STAY HERE'' I SEE NOTHING BUT INFINATE DREARANESS BEFORE ME''
WORK' OF THE MOST SORDID KIND'' OUR SOCIAL LIFE WILL BE LIMITED TO A FEW WHO
GIVE ME A LUMP IN MY THROAT EVERY TIME I SEE THEM'' AND I KNOW THEY FEEL JUS
T THE SAME WAY ABOUT ME' AND YET IN A CROTTS WAY LIFE IS GOOD' PROBABLY BECA
SE IT IS SO AWFUL'' JOHN HAS JUST LEFT TO GO OFF AND PICK UP SANDY WHO HAS
HAD A SUMMER COURSE AT EXETER AND FAILED IN ALL HIS EXAMS'' WHICH IS OUR
FAULT SINCE WE TOOK HIM TO MEXICO LAST WINTER AND PUT HIM IN THE HANDS OF

DEAREST MABEL'

I CAN HARDLY WAIT'' CAN YOU''? WONDERFUL'' I THINK ITS A GOD-D Idea about another servant' the ones which are there probably have a friend and they could get'' as far as I can remember there's were something like five bathrooms'' and all very beautiful and modern that includes the one in the little guest house'' and the beds looked to me to be most comfortable and fat and new'' Fred has always been a stickler for things like that'' you know the female in him'' we used to stay with him in Mexico City and I can remember from there'' also his house in Taxco'' so much more comfortable than any ones else's'' there seemed to be lots of books'' I dident really look at them two so I don't know what the titles were like'' but there seemed to be hundreds'' remember in that front room'' the library really'' I remember seeing anthony Trollop for one''

I AM GLAD THAT YOUR BLOG D pressure is down again' I shall be glad to get away from here and get rid of this awful cold which hangs on'' and on and on'' we have all the dogs farmed out at least when we leave they will be'' chappa is going to have puppies by Douglas any minute now'' and even those are spoken for'' we will be there just about when you are'' as thanks giving comes on the twenty third and we leave the next day I think that right'' perhaps it's the twenty fourth''? but what ever it is it is earlier than we thought'' it will take us longer naturally than it will you as you are nearer'' its a lovely day so I must go out into the garden and finish transplanting before the real freeze comes'' this is just a short note in answer to your question about the beds'' and bathrooms'' they'really are as they say here '' just rate'''' love from us all. love.

YOU WILL REALLY FIND JOHN MUCH CHANGED' HE WAS TERRIBLY WORRIS ALL LAST
WINTER'' HE DIDENT LET ME KNOW BUT WE WERE LIVING AWAY OVER OUR INCOME''

BAGADUCE FARM

YOU SEE WE WERE*********WEST BROOKSVILLE* RUNNING TWO HOUSEHOLDS AS WELL

MAINE

AS PAYING THAT TUTOR OF SORTS A WAGE' AND THEY TOOK US OVER THE BUMPS''

YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT ANY WAY'' THATS ALL PAST THANK GOODNESS''

LOVE AGAIN'.

DEAREST MABEL'

I JUST GOT YOUR LETTER'' WHAT HEAVEN''WHAT BLISS'' GOOD
GOD HOW DRATEFUL I FEEL''IHAVE BEENJUST SUNKAT THE THOUGHT OF STAYING HERE
ALL WINTER'' I MKNOW WE SHALL ALLGET ON'' JOHN IS SO MUCH MORE PEACEFUL
THANHE WAS LAST WINTER'' AND WE HAVE TALKED IT ALL OVER AND HE SAYS THAT
ANY TIME YOU TWO GET ON EACH OTHERS NERVESTHEN HE WILL GO AND STAY WITH
BILL SPRATLING OR OTHER FRIENDS FOR A SPELL'' AND HE WANTS ME TO TELL
YOU THAT HE WILL MANAGE THE SERVANTS FOR YOU AND DO ALL CHORES OF THAT
KIND''AND OF COURSE HE ISNT MAD ANY LONGER'' HOW COULD HE BE'' AND AS FOR
DRINKING WE DOVERY LITTLE OF THAT HERE SO THATS NO PROBLEM AT ALL''
LOOK THERE IS A VEGETABLE GARDEN THERE AND I SHALL BRING GOOD SEED WITH
ME AND WE** I SHALL PLANT THE GARDEN AND WE SHALL HAVE WONDERFUL VEGETABLES
AND FRUIT'' MELONS ECT'' WONT THAT BE FUN I LOVE WORKING IN THE GARDEN
AND WEWONT HAVE TO WORRYABOUT THESTATE OF THE LETTUCE ECT'' OH THAT HOUSE
IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND ITS GOING TO BE HEAVEN TO BE WITH YOU I FEEL SO
GOOD AND HAPPY WHEN I AM WITHYOU'' I AM GOING TO BRING MY PAINTS IF IT
IS ALL RIGHT AND PAINT ALL WINTERLONG'' I FEEL WEAK WITH DELIGHT''
WE HAVE TO SPEND THANKS GIVING WITH SANDY AT HIS SCHOOL' HE IS IN SOUTN
KENTS SCHOOL WHICH IS A SWELL PLACE FOR HIM TO BE'' ITS SMALL' AND A
CHURCH SCHOOL' THE ATMOSPHERE IS FINE AND CLEAR'' AND HE LOVES IT'' WELL
IF EVERY THING WORKS OUT ALL RIGHT WE THOUGHT WE COULD JUST KEEP ON
GOING THE DAYAFTER THANKS GIVING AND MOTOR RIGHT ON TO MEXICO INSTEAD OF
COMING BACK HERE'' WE WOULD BE IN MEXICO ONLY A LITTLE LATER THAN YOU' WE W
WILL DO IT WITH GREAT SPEED''

NOW DOWN TO BUSINESS AND HORRORS'' WE ARE

BECAUSE OF LAST WINTERS EXPENSES VERY HARD UP''''( OVER)***

AND ALSO WE HAVE THE EXTRA EXPENSE OF SANDYS SCHOOL TO COPE WITH'' SO I AM AFRAID THAT WE CANNOT SHARE THE RENT WITH YOU AT LEAST NOT UNTIL WE ARE COUGHT UP'' WE HAD TO BORROW MONEY TO SEND SANDY TO SUMMER SCHOOL' SO THAT WE COULD GO TO SCHOOL THIS WINTER'' AND ALSO WE ARE PAYING OFF A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR TAX THING BY THE MONTH'' USUALLY WHEN WE HAVE GOT INTO A BAD WAY LIKE THIS IN THE PAST' I HAVE SOLD SOME STOCKS AND GOT US OUT BUT NOW ALAS EVERYTHING I HAVE IS FROZEN IN SCOTLAND AND I CANT GET A PENNY OUT WHICH IS MOST ANNOYING' BUT OF COURSE IF MY PLAY IS TAKEN THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF IT WENT OVER OF COURSE'' ALSO IF MY BOOK IS TAKEN THAT WILL HELP BUT THAT WOULD BE LATER ON OF COURSE'' I AM SAYING ALL THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT EVEN IF WE CAN NOT HELP WITH THE RENT NOW WE CAN ALWAYS PAY YOU BACK LATERON WHEN WE HAVE IT'' BUT WE CAN AND DO WANT TO PAY FOR OUR FOOD AND LAUNDRY AND OUR SHARE OF SERVANTS AND LIGHTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT'' WE WILL HAVE TO PUT DONNIE IN SCHOOL IN CUERNAVACA'' BUT I DONT SUPPOSE THAT THAT WILL BE VERY MUCH'' IF WE GET COUGHT UP WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO MORE' BUT FOR A SPELL WE ARE HAM STRUNG'' NOW LOOK MABEL IF THIS DOES NOT SEEM ENOUGH TO YOU THAN PLEASE SAY SO AND WE SHALL UNDERSTAND ABSOLUTELY'' AND ALSO IF YOU GET FED UP WITH US THEN IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT WE WILL GET A LITTLE PLACE AND CLEAR OUT AND STILL WE COULD SEE YOU ALL THE TIME'' I CAN ALWAYS COOK FOR US AND MARKET ALSO'' I JUST DONT WANT YOU TO FEEL TIED DOWN TO ANYTHING'' I SHALL IF YOU CARE PLAN THE MEALS SO THAT YOU WONT HAVE ANYTHING TO BOTHER ABOUT'' IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL IF IT COULD BE A COMPLEAT HOLIDAY FOR YOU WITH OUT ANY OF THE NUSENCE OF RUNNING A HOUSE AND COPIING WITH FOOD ALL THE TIME'' AND ON THE COOKS DAYS OUT I SHALL COOK' ON WHAT HEAVEN IT IS GOING TO BE'' OF COURSE IF THIS IS ALL ACCEPTABLE WITH YOU'' PLEASE WRITE AND LET US KNOW WE CAN HARDLY WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU' I AM SO GLAD THAT YOUR PRESSURE IS DOWN HE MUST BE A WONDERFUL DOCTOR'' PLEASE WRITE SOON' I CANT THINK OR WRITE OF ANYTHING ELSE'' WE ALL LOVE YOU TO DEATH'' DONNY IS IN HEAVEN WITH EXCITEMENT'' SHE FEELS SO VERY CLOSE TO YOU AND HAPPY WITH YOU'' SO ITS BLISS TO HER'' GOODNESS HOW GUSHY I FEEL BUT I CANT HELP IT''** LOVE FROM US ALL''

DEAREST MABEL'.

DONT WORRY ABOUT ALL THAT BUSINESS ABOUT DRINKING'

I AM WITH YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT AND WILL NOT DO ANY EITHER'' AND
OF COURSE I FEEL ABOUT TONY AS YOU DO' I AM SICK OF COCKTAILS ANY HOW'
AND STOPPED TAKING ANY MY SELF SEVERAL DAYS AGO'' AND LIKE YOU I DONT
SEEM TO MISS THEM AT ALL''AND I ESPECIALLY DONT MISS THEM WHEN I AM NOT
COOKING AND SCRUBING AND SUCH'' HOW I LOOK FORWARD TO MEXICO I KNOW WE
SHALL LOVE IT AND HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME AND I DO WANT TO WORK SO DESPERATELY
'' I CAN GET UP EARLY AND DO THAT FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN HAVE THE REST OF
THE DAY JUST TO ENJOY BEING ALIVE'' I WISH JOHN COULD WORKS'' BUT SOMEHOW
I HAVE A FEELING THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO THERE''AND YOU YOU GREAT GENUS''
I BET YOU WILL TOO''

WE ARE SO SAD AND WORRIED ABOUT NANCY'' BOB CALLED UP
LAST NIGHT AND TOLD US THAT SHE IS IN A COMA AND THE DOCTORS DONT EXPECT
HER TO RECOVER'' BUT JOHN CALLED HIM UP THIS MORNING AND SHE SEEMS ALITTLE
BETTER'' BUT STILL IT IS APPARENTLY HOPELESS'' IT JUST BREAKS ONES HEART''
NATALIE AND TISH HAVE GONE TO URBANA AND THAT NICE ALFRED EDGARS BROTHER
WHO IS SO FOND OF NANCY'' WE ARE SITTING HERE JUST WAITING TO HEAR''
AND HOPING AGAINST HOPE THAT SOME MIRACLE WILL HAPPEN''

SANDY IS FINE IN SCHOOL AND LOVES IT AND IS VERY ANXIOUS TO BE CONFIRMED' WHICH HE SHALL BE''
THE SCHOOL IS A CHURCH SCHOOL AND HE SEEMS TO ENJOY THAT AND THE ATMAS PHER
IS VERY GOOD FOR HIM'' I HAVANT ANY NEWS TO SPEAK OF AM REALLY TOO HEART
SICK ABOUT NANCY TO THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE JUST NOW'' WE LOOK FORWARD SO
MUCH TO SEEING YOU BOTH AGAIN AND BEING WITH YOU AGAIN. WE ARE SCRAMBLING AROUND SELLING ODS AND ENDS OR TRYING TO SO AS TO GATHER SOME EXTRA MONEY TOGETHER'' ALSO HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE SOME OF OUR WOODS CUT DOWN'

DEAREST MABEL'

THANKS FOR THE NOTE ABOUT UNA' I HAD SEEN HER NOTICE
IN THE TIMES SO IT WAS NOT AS MUCH A SHOCK'' WHAT EVER WILL ROBIN DO''?
I DO HOPE HE GETS MARRIED AT ONCE' I HAVE A VISION OF HIM JUST STANDING
AND STARVINGI I WISH HE COULD GO AND SEE YOU' I REMEMBER THE LAST TIME
I SAW THEM BOTH AT NOEL SULLIVANSA'' ROBIN WAS QUITE CHATTY'' AND I SAID
TO HIM FLIPPLINTLY'' "LOOK ME TALKS'' HE WALKS'' HE ANSWERED SERIOUSLY
SAYING " I KNOW AND ITS MABEL WHO IS TO BE THANKED' SHE DID THIS TO ME"'
YOU ARE PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD TAKE HIM OVER THE MURDLE'' THAT
IS IF THERE IS ONE'' LOOK NANCY AND BOB HAVE JUST LEFT'' WE ALL HAD
A WONDERFUL TIME TOGETHER' AND GOT ON WELL' BUT I OR RATHER WE ARE WORRIED
ABOUT NANCY' SHE'S ALL MIXED UP' I THINK HER HEALTH IS BETTER' BUT SHE DOSENT
WANT TO FACE ANYTHING AT ALL OR CANT'' APPARENTLY WHEN SHE IS IN ARBANA SHE
SPENDS MOST OF HER TIME IN BED'' JUST STOPPED'' SHE IS BEING ANALYSED
AND BOB THINKS THAT SHE HAS BEEN HELPED'' HE WAS ASTOUNDED BY HER ACTIVITY
HERE' BUT WHEN FOR EXAMPLE NATALIE CALLED UP NANCY WAS SEA SICK FOR THREE
DAYS'' ALSO WHEN SHE HEARD FROM ALICE''' SHE KNOWS THIS HER SELF BUT CANNOT
CONTROL IT'' SHE DIDENT WANT TO GO BACK TO ARBANA AT ALL' IT HAD TO BE PUT
OFF FOR A DAY' AND FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE SHE COULD NOT EAT'' SHE IS
SUCH A TALANTED WONDERFUL PERSON' AND SO GOOD AND WARM HEARTED' IT JUST
MAKES ONE FEEL SICK TO SEE HER SUFFER SO'' AND SHE NEVER COMPLAINS'
BUT ONE GOOD THING IS THAT BOB SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR FOR A LONG TIME
THAT SHE HAS NOT HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL'' IT SEEMS TO REALLY BE ALL
IN HER MIND' FOR EXAMPLE SHE FELT THAT SHE COULD NOT EVEN GO INTO A ROW
BOAT WITH OUT BEING SICK'' WELL BY GUMPY SOME FRIENDS OF OURS CAME WITH

THEIR YACHT AND ANCHORED OFF OUR SHORE' AND NANCY WAS SO TAKEN WITH THEM AND
THE BOAT THAT SHE ACTUALLY WENT OFF FOR A WEEK END SAILING' AND LOVED IT'
AND NOW SHE WANTS A BOAT' OF COURSE THAT IS A SORT OF ESCAPE IN A WAY'
SHE HAS A VISION I THINK OF JUST SAILING AROUND AND NOT REALLY BEING
SETTLED ANY WHERE' SHE FEELS TRAPED I THINK IN ARBANA' BOB IS WONDERFULLY
KIND AND PATIENT WITH HER AND LOOKS AFTER HER AS IF SHE WERE A CHILD' BUT
HE IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF WHAT THE REAL MATTER IS' THEY ARE DYING TO GO
TO MEXICO THIS WINTER WHEN THEY HAVE A HOLIDAY' THEY WOULD LOVE NOTHING
BETTER THAN TO STAY WITH YOU' I AM SAYING THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT NANCY
WILL NOT WRITE YOU AND ASK YOU' BECAUSE SHE IS INCAPABLE OF DOING SO'
SO THATS WHY I AM TELLING YOU ALL THIS AND I DO HOPE YOU DONT RESENT IT'
BUT I KNOW YOU LOVE NANCY AND OF THE THREE GIRLS SHE IS THE ONE MOST
LIKE YOU I THINK' IN FACT I KNOW' THEY ARE SO CHARMING AND GAY TO HAVE
AROUND AS YOU KNOW' OH WELL YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN'
WELL EVERY ONE HAS GONE' AND NOW WE SETTLE DOWN FOR THE LONG WINTER'
WE SHALL BE STAYING HERE' SANDY GOES OFF TO KENT SCHOOL TOMORROW'
BONNIE CAN GO TO SCHOOL ONE YEAR MORE HERE BUT NEXT WINTER WILL BE ANOTHER
STORY' SO THE THOUGHT THAT NEXT YEAR WE SMALL HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE
WILL SEE ME THRU THE WINTERHERE' I HATE IT SO' TOO COLD' TO LONELY'
I TALK TO MY SELF ALL THE TIME OH WELL I MUSTENT COMPLAIN' I SUPPOSE'
DID YOU HAVE A VERY GAY AND ATTRACTIVE SUMMER' I KNOW YOU DID' WE HAD
LOTS OF PEOPLE AROUND' FIFTEEN IN THE HOUSE AT A TIME AND USUALLY
TWENTY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER' I AM SORT OF POOPED OUT' BUT I LOVED EVERY
MINUTE OF IT.

NANALIES BABY HAD TO HAVE A VERY SERIOUS OPERATION' ITS
INNARDS AND ITS STOMACH WERE JOINED TOGETHER IN SOME STRANGE WAY' HE WAS
ONLY THREE WEEKS OLD WHEN IT HAPPENED' NATALIE AND BILL WERE ON THE COAST
WHERE BILL IS ACTING IN A MOVIE' NATALIE HAS GONE OUT TO JOIN HIM AGAIN
LEAVING THE CHILD BEHIND' BUT ITS PROBABLY A GOOD THING' BUT I COUDENT HAVE
I DONE IT' HOWEVER' HAL HAD ANOTHER OPERATION' AND MAY STILL HAVE TO HAVE

PS. FORGIVE THE TYPED CLAIRE' BUT I CANT FIND A PENCIL OR A PEN ANYWHERE'.

DEAREST MABEL''

I'LL SEND THE BOOK AS SOON AS THE DOCTOR GIVES IT BACK TO ME'
I ASKED HIM FOR IT LAST TIME I SAW HIM'' BUT HE HADENT FINISHED IT' SO I
COULDENT TAKE IT BACK WITH ME'' BUT I TOLD HIM THAT YOU WANTED IT AND HE
SAID THAT HE WOULD HURRY''

HORRORS'' HORRORS AND AGAIN HORRORS'' MY MOTHER
SUDDENLY DESENDED UPON US AND MADE IT CLEAR AT ONCE THAT SHE WAS SPENDING THE
THE REST OF HER LIFE WITH*MER*** US'' WE ALMOST DIED'' IT MENT NO MEXICO''
NO NOTHING'' BUT EURIKA'' TODAY SHE ANNOUNCED THAT SHE DID NOT LIKE MAINE'
AND THAT SHE COULD NOT FACE A WINTER HERE SO SHE IS TOOTLING BACK'' VERY
SOON'' SHE SPENDS MOST OF HER TIME IN BED'' HAS NO ENERGY OF ANY KIND''
DROOLS ABOUT THE PAST ALL THE TIME'' AND IS ALWAYS TRYING TO IMPRESS JOHN
BY TELLING HIM OFHAT A VERY DISTINGUISED FAMILY WE ARE'' AND THATS PURE ROT'
ALSO ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE I HAVE TO DO I HAVE TO TROT UP AND DOWN
THE STAIRS CARRYING TRAYS'' SHE DOSENT LIKE THE WAY I DO MY HAIR '' SHE DOSENT LIKE THE WAY I DRESS'' AND I AM CONSTANTLY BEING TOLD THOSE NASTY THINGS
BY HER'' I REMAIN AS SWEET AS SWEET AS POSSIBLE BUT INSIDE I AM ANGRY''
OH ISNT THIS WAR TERRIBLE'' AND SOENHOW ONE FEELS THAT IT IS ONLY THE
BEGINNING''WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE WORLD? AND MANKIND? ITS HEART BREAKING
SANDY GOES OFF TO EXETER NEXT WEDNESDAY TO TAKE A SUMMER COURSE'' HE FAILED
IN HIS ENTRY EXAM'' BUT THEY OFFERED HIM THE CHANCE TO COME FOR AUGUST AND
STUDY IT WAS REALLY HIS TUTORS FAULT AS HE DID NOT GIVE THE RIGHT KIND
OF ARITHIMATIC'' ANY HOW ITS THE ONLY TIME THAT SANDY HAS NOT HAD A HUNDRED
IN ANY EXAM AND IT ROCKED HIM BACK ON HIS HEELS'' HE IS VERY DEP RESSED
ABOUT GOING' BUT HE FEELS AS WE DO THAT SINCE HE HAS STARTED A THING HE
MUST FINISH IT'' AND THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR HIS CHARACTER I FEEL'' WE HAD TO
GO AND BORROW MONEY ON THE CAR SO AS TO BE ABLE TO SEND HIM'' WHICH WAS

2

HORRID BUT IT HAD TO BE DONE!

NANCY AND BOB ARE COMING UP THIS MONTH! THEY WILL BE HERE AT THE SAME TIME AS SISTER AND GEORGE' WHICH WILL BE NICE FOR THEM ALL' REMEMBER PHIL PLATT IN TAXCO' THE MAN YOU LIKED SO MUCH? ME GAVE ME THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ETCHING OF A BULL FIGHTER' VERY MODERN' AND A WONDERFUL DESIGN' I AM HAVING IT FRAMED' AND IF WE GO TO MEXICO NEXT WINTER I SHALL TAKE IT WITH ME' ITS REALLY BEAUTIFUL' JOHN IS FUKL OF ENERGY THEASE DAYS AND WORKS LIKE MAD AROUND THE PLACE' I AM ALMOST CRAZY WITH THINGS TO DO' HERES MY USUAL DAY' I GET UP AT SIX THIRTY OR SEVEN' I GET BREAKFAST' I EAT IT ALONE WHICH I ENJOY' THEN I MAKE THE DESERT FOR THAT NIGHTS DINNER' THEN THE FAMILY START APPEARING' THEN THEIR BREAKFASTS' THEN CLEANING UP' THEN I RUSH OUT TO THE GARDEN AND WEEK AND THIN OUT THE VEGETABLES UNTIL TWELVE' THEN I RUSH IN AND GET LUNCH' ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY I WASH THE CLOTHES' IN THE AFTERNOON I LIE DOWN FOR AN HOUR' THEN TO THE GARDEN AGAIN OR IF IT RAINS I SEW OR WRITE LETTERS' THEN AT FIVE I START DINNER' THEN AFTER DINNER I TRY TO KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR AN HOUR OR SO WHILE WE PLAY PING PONG' OR LISTEN TO THE RADIO' OR PLAY CARDS' THEN TO BED BEFORE NINE' AND SO IT GOES' BUT NOW I AM USED TO IT ALL AT FIRST COMING FROM SUCH EASE OF LIFE IN MEXICO' I ALMOST DIED OF FATIGUE' SOON IT WILL BE TIME TO COLLECT VEGETABLES AND PUT THEM IN THE DEEP FREEZE AND THATS SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN' BY THE END OF JULY WE WILL HAVE A HOUSE HOLD OF TWELVE PEOPLE' BUT THAT I LOVE AND IN A WAY ITS EASIER BECAUSE THEY ALL HELP IN THE GARDEN AND PEEL VEGETABLES' AND ANY HOW I LOVE IT. BONNIE HASENT BEEN SO VERY WELL' AND WE ARE TAKING HER TO A SPECIALIST IN BANGOR' SHE HAS TROUBLE GOING TO THE BATHROOM AND HER STOOLS ARE HARD AND ENOURMOUS' SHE SLEEPS LATE' AND WONT EAT ANY BREAKFAST' I PRAY SHE DOSENT HAVE TO HAVE AN OTHER OPERATION' THE DOCTOR HERE THINGS THERE MIGHT BE A CHANCE OF THAT' BUT I DO HOPE NOT' ANY HOW DONT BE WORRIED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE A SERIOUS OPERATION APPARENTLY' IF IT IS NECESSARY'

JOHN IS TAKING HER NEXT WEEK AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW' LOVE. CLAIRE.