(seq. 1)

To:
Name: Dr. Miriam Van Waters
Street & Number: Box 99
City: Framingham, State: Mass

Joliet, Illinois
January 7, 1940

Dear Dr. Van Waters:

I was please to have your letters during the holidays. The best one of all you wrote on
Dec, 31. This letter contained all that I like to hear. You seem to know what I like most of all.

You must have had a nice Christmas with Sarah home for a visit. I am glad you got
lots of presents - goes to prove you have many good friends. What you said about my
letter made me feel as though I had really done something worthwhile. Our letters have
improved because our friendship has improved; we understand and know each other
better, and this helps us along when it comes to writing.

My sisters were here today. (This is Saturday night) Mary Bell sure has grown. She is about
as tall as I and just as heavy. I told them about you, Hill Top, and told them I was going to
work on the farm when I get out of here. I told Mary Bell the cat she is to get is very valuable and
that his or her ancestors came over on the Mayflower. Our visit was very pleasant except
for the news of Dad. His heart is starting to cause him a little trouble again. Of course,
he isn't bothered much if he takes medicine and does not over exert himself while working.

Harmony News for December came yesterday it is filled with interesting things. It
is getting better all the time, and bigger too. I haven't had time to read all of it, but I saw
the praise your artist drew for the picture of you on last month's cover issue. Frankly, I did
not like the nose of that drawing, what did you think about it? Otherwise she is remarkable.
Miss O'Keefe made the news again in sports. I am sure I would like her. She is too
good a sport to be a crank. That reminds me of the other crank whose identity you have
asked me to reveal. Since my last letter I discussed her with Miss Rice who said the person
in question was far from being a crank; in fact, a very likeable sort of person. How can I name
her now that I know I was mistaken? Besides she may read this letter before giving it
to you! The Latin is toughh but so far everything is going reasonably well.
I do not need a Latin dictionary. The test has one which covers the entire course. Nor do
I think the book "Old Fashioned Flowers" would help me, [Doctor], you are giving