A short, jaunty letter from Dart starts with his enthusiastic critique of Spike Jones’ “Volga Boatman.” He then draws Dot’s attention to the new stationery he bought in the hospital canteen while he was dressed in his uniform and allowed to walk around. He explains that he is writing small because this paper “costs like a black market steak.”

His mother was most enthusiastic about the “sweet young voice” who called yesterday, and he is most enthusiastic that the two women in his life seem to like each other.

In sympathy with Dot over her play-writing assignment, Dart tells an embarrassing tale on himself about his one and only attempt to do the same.

He asks Dot what the meaning of the additional symbol she has added to her usual shorthand closing. He’s too embarrassed to keep asking the nurse. To show that two can play at the “coded message” game, he signs off in Spanish.

This is an uncharacteristically gloomy letter from young Dot. She’s snappish and surly and, admittedly in need of a vacation.

Near the end of page 1, she quips “I haven’t the vaguest idea what I’m going to write about, but I’ll make an attempt at something. For further information, see page 2.”

Page 2 is not a huge improvement. She writes that she has always wanted to be in the Christmas play at Andrews. Even though she claims to have no talent whatsoever, she thought that being in the play would be fun. Housemother Mrs. Wall, who is no fan of Dot’s, has decided once again that Dot will not have fun on her watch!

Dot mentions that nearly half the dorm left tonight to attend a 40-hour devotion at the Catholic Church. She wishes she could have gone because it would have probably improved her spirits.

Her next complaint is about the spring-like weather of this state called Ohio.  “When it comes to winter, I’ll take one of the good ol’ New England states. At least you can tell the seasons there.”

Having resorted to talking about the weather, she decides to end this “sour-puss” letter, assuring Dart that her mood in no way changes how she feels about him.