June 13, 1944

My dearest Hal,

Today I bought a bond with the money you sent me. I will be able to buy one myself as soon as I get my July check. It will leave me rather short, just as I judge this money you sent has left you. I hope we don’t have any unforeseen expenses. I am terribly proud of the way you have saved. I am sorry I could not do as well but I really have tried. You will find out about prices when you come home. It isn’t very nice when you realize how they have gone up. I try to cut expenses as much as I can and I hope things won’t get any higher.

Darling, you can’t mean you are really and truly thinking of buying me an emerald. All my life I have dreamed of some-day owning an emerald. I do not think I have ever seen more than two or three real emeralds, but they were beautiful. I have always admired rubies very much too but emeralds are my favorites. I wish you had not suggested it because we have no business spending our money that way. How can I possibly tell you not to get it when I want it more than anything. Of course I’m going to say go ahead and get one if you can. How much would it cost? In this country I would probably have to pay several hundred dollars for the smallest one you could get. I think my ring and pin are perfectly lovely and I know I should never even wish for any-thing else when you have already given me so much. If you should get an emerald I think I would like a pendant as you suggested. I won’t mind if you can’t get one at least I’ll try not to mind too much.

I do get myself into the worst messes of anyone I know. The four churches of the community are holding a joint Bible School for the children of the community this week and next. I have been as busy as anyone can be before this but in some way I seem to be teaching Bible School. I really have no business trying to do it but they seem able to work on my sympathies and I am a pushover when it comes to trying to help people out. I wish I weren’t so softhearted because it always gets me in trouble. I was given the beginners and thought I would have ten or twelve. Yesterday I was surprised to find out that I would have thirty six ages 3, 4, 5.

Can you imagine anything much worse? I hope to have some help tomorrow. I have quite a time and come home just about worn out. I told them I simply had to have some helpers so I have been promised four for tomorrow.

We have been very dry here but today we had a very nice shower and I hope we are going to see a big improvement in our garden. I work over it real hard but I can’t do much when it gets dry and I hate so badly to see everything suffering so for a drink.

Sam wants me to tell you that he likes Bible School very much. He is crazy for you to come home and speaks of it so often. I hope for all our sakes you can come soon. The waiting seems to grow more difficult all the time.

all my love,

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