June 5, 1944

My dearest Hal,

School was out on Saturday and I am glad to relate that Sam took it better than I had supposed. Sam was conditioned, which means that he must do some work this summer if he is to go into the second grade next year. I do not intend to make him do anything but play outdoors in the sunshine. If he wants to do some lessons he may do them of course but I shall not insist upon it. He is young and having a very good foundation is important, so even if he repeats the first grade he will probably be better off and it will not hurt him. After all he started in the middle of January and missed quite a bit of time having measles and several colds. I am surprised that he could do as well as he did. He has learned to read a little, to print, but not too well and to do some work in numbers. He does real well in number work. I don’t feel that Sam hasn’t done well. Miss Campbell, his teacher, and I both feel that he has done very well indeed considering his age and the short time he was in school. I have an idea that he will not go to school here next year because we will be living somewhere with you. At least that is what I sincerely hope we will be doing.

I think it is only fair to warn you that your son is quite a big business man. He planted a garden and informed us at the time that he would sell us the produce. He canvassed each member of the family to find out what they would be willing to buy from him and planted accordingly. I suggested radishes, not because I eat them but because they are easy to grow and mature early. He supplies up with radishes for 1¢ each. You understand about the war prices I suppose. As no one but Peggy ever eats radishes, the demand is not large. However this makes little difference to Sam. The supply seems to be inexhaustible so we have a large bunch delivered everyday and he never fails to collect. Mother and I are on the verge of bankruptcy and the kitchen to overflowing with radishes. I tried to sneak some into the garbage when his back was turned but he fished them out and accused me of throwing away perfectly good food, which is a terrible crime. He informed me today that some of his radishes were getting so large he thought he should charge two cents each for them. That will be the last straw.

I am practically asleep so I really must stop this foolishness and get to bed. I love you, darling, and I hope all my dreams will be of you.

All my love,

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