Jan. 8, 1944

My dearest Hal,

Yesterday being Saturday I went to town to see Nova. I try to go whenever I can but I don’t have as much time to visit as I could wish. This time I stayed several hours and we had a nice long talk. I read all your letters and the ones she had from Billy. I was very glad to hear from Billy as I don’t often have a letter from him. I imagine he is awfully busy and then I don’t have time to write to anyone but you.

I haven’t even written my “thank you” notes for Christmas yet and goodness only knows when I will get them done. “Nana” says she has not been feeling so well lately. She was having Dr. Robertson come to see her in the afternoon and I hope he could do something to relieve her and make her feel better. I gave Nana a check for $50 just as I have been doing each month since I started teaching. She said Billy had sent her a $100 for Christmas. She gets her regular $50 allotment from him each month and so she has a little money in the bank I think.

She has been paying Sara $50.00 a month and Sara says she has gone in debt very badly because Nana has had so much company and because Eliz. didn’t pay any board etc. so Sara has taken a job with the rationing board and she feels Eliz. should make some provision to take care of Nana. I am so sorry she left Blue Ridge. I do feel that she would have been better off there. Sara says that Nana just refuses to pay anything like what it is worth to her for taking care of her. I hate to bother you with all this but I don’t quite know what to do. Shall I give Sara some money in addition to what I am giving Nana? And if so how much do you suggest that I give? I shall not take any steps until I hear something from you about this.

All the time Sara was telling me about how dreadfully expensive it is to have someone ill in the house I could not help thinking of all the expenses you had when your father was ill. I remember how bitter Sara was because she says you lived there all that time and never paid a cent of board. Of course I did not say one word about it yesterday because she has enough worries but I am not able to forgive things that are paid about you. I dare say I was much closer to you and knew a great deal more about what you did then than she did because I cared enough to find out.

I think Nana really appreciates all you have done for her. I hope someday your family will forget that you had “everything done for you while the rest had nothing.” I know that isn’t true and I hate to hear you abused. Sara hasn’t said anything about that recently but the last time she brought it up I told her it would be best to wait and discuss it with you I really wasn’t in a position to discuss it. I was afraid I would get mad and say something I would be sorry for. I don’t intend that anyone shall run down my husband no matter who they are.

I hope I haven’t worried you with all this. This is exactly the kind of letter they say you mustn’t write to a service man. I feel I simply have to get this off my chest and of course I can’t discuss it with anyone but you. Please don’t misunderstand. Sara and I are on the best of terms but I think she feels we should help on the expenses. She didn’t ask exactly but her meaning was pretty clear. What shall I do about it and please say how much?

Darling you’ll never know how much I need to see you-

P.S. Why not write Eliz. she ought to know if Sara really needs some help. She stayed up there. I have not heard her side of it and I am not going to be mixed up in any argument over money if any thing else. I’ll do what ever you recommend.