15 March 1945

Hello darling,

Tis Thursday afternoon, and things are muchly quiet around the advertising office, for all copy is in and proofed for tomorrow’s paper. This is a new system, for can’t you remember how big a day Thursday used to be when we were a-courtin’?

By the way, I have a very new account—one of Lang’s saleswomen has opened a store of her own down across from Sam Meyer’s—and I write her ads. I’ve really got a deal, for she doesn’t know anything about advertising except that she wants good-looking ads—so little Emil writes the whole ad without showing copy or proof—and so far, she’s been most pleased with my results. Each week, I’m sending you a Friday paper, marked with my ads—so please be sure to look for Brant’s ad—it’s always on page 2. I’m so darned glad I don’t have to bother with Lang’s, Rapport’s and Yorkins that it isn’t funny—for as you know, they were certainly headaches. I have about 25 accounts—and therefore am not so rushed as I used to be when I had about 40 or 50.

Before I forget, Timmy Mears and Elizabeth Stoner were married March 8—he just finished midshipman’s school in New York and is to report March 18 for primary training at Dallas. He’s an ensign, of course—their wedding was the same day he got his commission. Personally, I’d give my eye teeth to be in Dallas now, wouldn’t you?

Gee, we’ve had elegant weather this week—in fact, yesterday and today have been warm enough to just wear a suit when going outstide—and I’ve already stopped wearing stockings. By the way, darleeng, you will be pleased to learn that my hips have gone down 6 inches (!) and are not only 2 inches oversize You see, your hips are supposed to be 10 inches larger than your waist—and my waist is 28, my hips 40. I guess I just needed to stop eating my good cooking! Seriously though, I feel much better—for I was beginning to get a trifle on the self-concisou side, if you know what I mean. So you see, when you come home, you’ll be greeted by a slim, svelt little wife—oh happy day.

Not much in the way of news, for I’m getting to be an early-to-bedder (also alone-in-bedder, damn it!)—Tuesday night, Ruth and I came back to the office for about 3 hours to read some legal copy—last night, I did some ironing and mending and shoe cleaning and some reading in bed—I’m reading “Anna and the King of Siam”, which is not too bad—earlier this week I finished “Earth and High Heaven”, which I like very much. Uncle Mass gave the two books to me last weekend.

Tonight, Ruth and I are going to have dinner together and then go to see “Standing Room Only”, one of the pictures you and I missed seeing somehow. I suppose you’ve been seeing any number of good pictures, provided you haven’t been too busy with other things, such as weather or action. I still haven’t gotten a letter—but today Adm. Nimitz issued a communiqué from Guam—the first in a long time—so I’m hoping that the mails will start coming through again in a week or so. I suppose you know that Iwo was declared officially captured yesterday—though, of course, there are still Jap snipers operating. The price for that island has been terrific, I hate to think of the casualty lists that are going to be released in a few days.

Honestly, I’m just dying to get a letter from you—for my curiosity—and anxiety—is getting to be terrific. Besides, it irks me to know you’re doing things I don’t know about. Fiddle faddle, I certainly wasn’t mean to be a career gal, I can see that. You should see me linger longingly at household displays in the stores—and peruse recipes in the magazines—just like a thoroughly domesticated old biddy.

That reminds me—I found out today that I shall be able to get all the gas I need to return to Calif.—as long as I specify a change of residence. Of course, I won’t be able to bring the car back to Penna… but then that’s the idea—to get on the Coast and stay there. Of course, when you come back, you can take the car any place you are ordered. At present, I’m figuring tentatively on leaving sometime in September—after the hot weather. And there’s another point—when you come in, always contact Bob and Inez as to my whereabouts, for they’ll always know where I am.

I’m thinking of transferring our bank account from the Citizens to the Washington Trust—for the latter has safe deposit boxes available, while the latter has been expecting some new ones for 2 years. Of course, I’m just thinking—but don’t let it stop you from sending your signature home so that we can have a joint account.

Nana is still doing all right—though she’s been having a little stomach trouble of late—I’ve been going out each night and getting dinner—tonight I’m going to leave here at 4:30 and not have dinner with her, so that I can get back about 5:30 or so to have dinner with Ruth.

Our anniversary present came today—from Bob and Inez—the pictures of Peter and Charlotte—and they’re very lovely—and you can bet your boots I’m going to bring ‘em along—they’ll probably turn out like our blue vases and Angel Pedro.

Tis most 4:30—so I must hie me off to Nana’s. Various and sundry people have said to tell you hello—George, Judy, Joe and Mr. Day—

Take good care of you—write me volumes of letters—and be a good boy (that, I think, is a good crack)—all of my kisses and my love,

Yours,

Emil and Penny