July 6, 1944 Thursday

[from Emma Nelson]

7:20 am

Dear Children,

See how early I am up to write to you—out in Texas with a rock (?) or a suitcase for a pillow. Sorry Wallace had to be away last week—house hunting is great sport if you can stand the disappointments.

Mrs. Russell shared your letter with me. I supposed you could stay at the hotel as long as you could pay your rent. Great world these days. The pictures came Monday and I have done my best to sort them out and give them to who you wanted. There wasn’t enough of the bride and groom and I am getting an enlargement of it. I like the one you ordered so much. I will let you know who gets them. Emily called up yesterday. I was planning to go up there next week but she said Ralph could get me Sat. so that is when I go, Sat. and come back either the 14 or 16 so as to be here if Chandler wants anything.

Peas are ripe and I want some. Haying is done. I will have my mail sent to Emily’s but I hope I get a letter from you this morning telling me how nicely you are situated. Glad the ladies are so nice.

Margaret and her mother are planning to go to N.Y. for a week. Bud is there going to a trade school. I was up there for supper on the 4th. Hazel Lewis is visiting the Joneses so she and Alice took me up in their car. A most brilliant sunset but thundered most of the time.

Alden is in Australia. My but he gets around. Grace and Aunt Florence were in yesterday morning and said they had over 200 at Parker Pine. Kitty is doing wonderful work and about the youngest there. Dwight Augier said only two boys showed up at Plymouth. He and another had no place to go so were put in with the teachers [?]. Mrs. A telephoned and told me about it.

Did you get the Sentinel [Keene newspaper]? Probably you will get home before I know the answer. I sent it to Wallace. His address seems to be the one to use. I am going to get Miss Brown to mail this and Goodnows doughnuts have just come.

I hope you are together this week. Burdens are lightened when two share them.

Love,
Mom
Of course I wonder if you took any decent shoes to chase around in – in that hot country your feet will be blistered.

[on same sheet, in Wallace’s hand]

Dearest Honey,

Am writing this on the fly, but do want to say for you to take the room right now without any hesitation. We are hunting a room, not choosing one. Make any verbal agreement she wants, provided the room will become permanent in a reasonable time. We can woo her to our way once we get in there—she is bendable. We can settle down if we know it will definitely become permanent. He who hesitates is lost—close the deal, make a payment, get a receipt and move in as soon as you can. Don’t wait for an O.K. from me. Attack! Attack!! Attack!!!

How to go on the music course! Do start on that anyway. I love you,

Wallace