France-Monday Jan. 1st
Hi Cattie!
I believe the mail is starting to arrive again, because I received twelve letters last night, plus two boxes, and two more letters tonight. Three were from you—last night—December 5th, 6th, and 7th. Also, one of the boxes was from you. Thanks oodles for both; and forgive me for ever having doubted that you weren’t writing. I’ve already eaten the chili in your box, and it was enjoyed immensely. The other box was from Margaret, I believe. Grandma’s nice, isn’t she? It was a nice box too. And I’m going to ask you to have Aunt Irene thank her for me, because I thoughtlessly discarded the wrapping paper with her address. Also, got one letter from Ma, one from Mom Pierce, one from Wing, and seven from Emma Lee—all from December. I still lack quite a few from Nov.
I had another little party New Years Eve, and a wonderful dinner again today, similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I believe that the dressing was even better than the two previous dinners though. I love it!
I bought a shirt and a pair of trousers a few days ago, and they’re creating quite a number of laughs among the officers. You see, I had to buy a shirt with a 16” neck, and it’s large enough for two people elsewhere. I had to do the same thing with the trousers. I bought size 36x33 so they would fit in the seat; and I can literally “wrap” them around my waist. Haha. I look like a G.I. Zoot-suiter! Oh, how I wish the army would put a contingent of WAC seamstresses in all Quartermaster sales stores! Boy, I could certainly use a few alterations.
I might as well confess—I got so sleepy last night, Cattie, that I went to bed before finishing your letter. So, now I have two more from you to answer, which I received today. (January 2nd) I got eighteen more letters today; so it looks as if I’m going to be plenty busy in the next few days.
Cattie, I was just thinking—remember the letter I wrote about a week ago, asking about Emma Lee? Well, what I mean is, you’re still, and always will be, my big “sis,” and nothing will ever interfere with our love. I can’t force you to like my wife, and if you have an ill feeling toward her, that’s your business I suppose. But I can’t see how anyone could help but love her. Guess there’s something in the wind that Urbey doesn’t know about. You needn’t tell me; but am I right?
I’m re-reading your letter of November 30th now, and I not only discovered something, but got a laugh from it as well. Of course, I know that you know better, but the fact remains—it’s right there—a misspelled word!! Haha! See if you can find it in the short enclosure. I’ll be waiting for your reply, so don’t you dare to evade an answer. Haha. (It isn’t longies!)
No, I haven’t heard from Dan recently—not since I told you a long time ago. Nor Hays! Nor Chris! Nor Dutch! Of course, their mail to me is delayed just like yours. So, I may have one from each of them “on the way.” They were all okay in their last “reports.”
You said that my reading a book surprised you—well, truthfully, I’m glad that you told me how “H.M. Pulham, Esq.” ended, because I never read any more of it after the night I told you I was reading it. Haha. In fact, I don’t even know where it is. I also started on Hope’s, “I Never Left Home,” and have read twelve pages in three weeks. Haha.
Say, I was glad to hear that “Wing” visited “the ole homestead.” But may I correct you on one point? He wasn’t my ex-boss. We just worked together. Art was chief! Mrs. Wingfield is a very nice lady in my estimation; and I’m sure that Aunt Irene won’t regret having lunch with her. If she does [have lunch with her], of course.
Sure I like the stationary you used in your “December 4th letter”! It’s quite similar to the kind I’m using now, and I’m sure that I’ll be able to write on it okay. This may sound odd; but I can type on cardboard just about as easily as I can write on airmail paper. Haha. (I’m writing exceedingly fast. Hope it’s legible!)
Quite contrary to your prediction, I’m still getting enough to drink. I’ll admit that it isn’t always scotch, but its alcoholic, and that’s all that matters. I don’t really care for any of the stuff; but most of it does some funny things to a person. I think I told you about Calvados, didn’t I? A man could drink Seagrams like a milk-shake, after drinking this stuff.
I haven’t been seeing many movies recently, but we haven’t missed any of the good productions of ’44, except “Going My Way.” I guess we’ll get it sometime in the future. Saw “Double Indemnity” recently, and I didn’t think it was exceptional. However, Fred McMurray got an Oscar from it.
Glad to hear that you finally got the letter with Aunt Irene’s M.O. enclosed. Yes, I believe your choice for a present suits me perfectly. And that small bottle of perfume was cheap. And, it wasn’t your Christmas present. There’s a much better brand on the way that set me back ten times as much, and that’s your Christmas present. I sent a large box to Ma with everybody’s present enclosed. Hope you get it before Valentine’s Day! Haha.
No, I haven’t seen Spike James and didn’t even know he was over here. I definitely don’t like him anyhow. I just can’t stand hill-billy music. Gimme Basie any day! Boy, I’d give a month’s pay to see him! Well, almost, anyhow! When he plays Basie Boagie, I’m like a guy in the last stage of a hypnotist’s act. Haha.
Sorry to
disappoint you, but I haven’t played poker since I left
I don’t claim to be a Pyle, a Happer, nor a Bankage; but I think this is a pretty good report, especially when I have about 38 more letters to answer. Now don’t ask me how I got 38, ‘cause I think you have a pretty good idea. Thirty of them (an estimate) are from Lee. Actually, she wrote as many as three letters a day, frequently, through November. (No reflection—honest!)
I’m getting sleepy Cattie, so I’ll write again in a few days. Tell Aunt Irene and Joe “hello.” Sorry, but I can’t think of a joke tonite.
Love—Urbey