2/4/44 (San Juan)

Dear Jane,

You should have received two letters since writing on the 27^th; one from Canada, one from here. It sounds like one was lost.

Have not seen Billy Pool. The Porullis are an odd combination and of some interest for that very reason only I guess. They are not a wedded pair in the conventional patter. However, wondering how they make a go of it together should make the time pass more quickly while waiting for the string beans to string themselves. The lady of the pair is sold on you, naturally, to overlook the fact that they went through school majoring in Geography but never bothered to read the chapter on Emily Post fundamentals in English class.

With Geo. Working nights these “days” on inventory looks like his planning to specialize as a store buyer in the Navy should the draft director beckon him in the Pacific theatre is climaxed in a curtain call Mac Arthur, a curtain fall for Tojo.

How’s the gas situation? As usual it’s hard to make sense out of nonsense. Kittel still in the States; Ed –drafted much later- overseers. Would like to get to England and see London, however would prefer a visit to the States first.

Will buy a dog chain for Judy at first available opportunity. See by the paper today my favorite columnist of 1943 has joined the long line of names dying in safe aircraft. Ever since Will Rogers somebody takes a nosedive into the earth and a climb in public interest through means of “safe-as-life” aircraft. Believed in Clapper, the realist even as in O.O.McIntyre the sentamentalist some time back. Feel the loss of a good person from existence, unnecessarily- one who had every reason to live. Meanwhile Pyle carries on. Since one of the last things Clapper did was to write those daily columns in a row on the subject of Mac Arthur he must have thought him worthy of a larger role in the war.

How are Pa and Ma making out? Bill sounds very cheerful. Received a V-mail letter from him last week. The inevitable must happen someday and Pa and Ma will go. However, the things that you and I and Mr. Average Man don’t feel so strongly about or find essential to life will comprise the faith enabling Bill to carry on with full strength.

Marge did it, Ethel’s doing it, but no word as yet on Marge the II (Weber). Waiting to make it a double with Jean? The earthquake, like that War Department fire, is news to me. Please cable or phone when these interesting things happen.

What I look forward to most is that 20 day leave yet to come and a visit to the old stomping grounds in NY, Philly, and Washington; The people, the places, the talk, the leisure, the eats at Lyla’s house, at Jane’s house, at H+H in Philly at Union Station or the Red Circle in DC, a drink or two (milk of course) which is usually 9/10 the anticipation or talk, 1/10^th quantity; the planning of dates which seldom occur. (Philly-Wash.) the vagabonding about which has become all important at the sacrifice of a better way of life which could not be now. For motive in the driving power, a nice idea doesn’t make the engine go round. But all engines that run have some use, purpose.

Chas.