Dot’s reply to Dart’s first letter is dated the same day as his letter. “How could that be?” I asked my mother. “How could you get a letter the same day he wrote it?” She explained that there were two mail deliveries on weekdays back then. If Dart sent something out from Cleveland in the morning mail, Dot usually received it that afternoon in Willoughby!
Dot’s first letter reveals the pattern that much of her correspondence would develop. There was often a chatty part, describing the “goings-on” around the dorm, followed by a minor complaint about the rules at Andrews School. Her general mood was almost always positive. There was one theme that runs throughout; her self-deprecating humor. She was always poking fun at her lack of talent, brains and beauty – a habit that contradicted reality and one Dart would try repeatedly to break her of. It amuses me to see the woman I’ve always known and loved as my mother reflected so clearly in her 17-year old self.
In this letter, she deftly describes the reactions of her housemates to the recent date night. Some seemed to be in a dream state, rendering them oblivious to the surroundings; others, at the mention of “the dance” would turn so green that everyone in the room knew to drop the subject. Says Dot, “If one could keep from laughing long enough to take some notes on the situation, I’m sure they could write an excellent novel.”
She makes some wise crack about whether or not she should accept his offer of a date. After all, she wouldn’t want to disappoint all the boys who have been waiting for a chance to escort her. Immediately, she deflects and says she hopes he didn’t believe that for one second, but, as he is quite intelligent, she doubts he did. She happily accepts his invitation, telling him that the next scheduled date night is November 6. Then she drops the little hint that she may be coming into Cleveland next weekend with some friends. She’s hoping Miss Lee will allow it, but the only reason the girls have for wanting to leave is so that they can have a little time off campus and perhaps see a decent movie. Lacking a Presidential Order, she fears their plans will be squashed.
