Dart’s letter reveals that he is really feeling a time crunch these days. With classes, calisthenics, and duty rosters, he and his classmates were already fairly busy. Now, Dart has the extra burden of daily swimming practice. Letter-writing and laundry duties are falling by the wayside.

He dreads the recognition test that he knows is coming. There’s an understanding among his group that the instructor doesn’t like these guys very much, so he appears to be making the tests as difficult as possible.

Dart’s pleased that the material in his electricity class has finally moved beyond the basics into things he’s not had before. Once again, he seems to thrive on new mental challenges. Part of the fire control system he’s learning involves gyroscopes, and he’s eager to learn how they work. He’s hoping that’ll give him something in common with Dot’s brother Gordon.

Changes are afoot at camp. His math and electricity classes are winding down and new subjects will be introduced in a couple of weeks. His group were all moved to different living quarters yesterday, an arrangement Dart doesn’t like as well, but seems to be adjusting to. A new class of fire controlmen is scheduled to start today – four weeks behind Dart’s class. Treasure Island is really cranking these boys through.

Well, this “letter” from Dot is really more like a label, but I’ll include it, nonetheless.

She has no news but didn’t want two days to pass with no mail from her. She offers her condolences on the loss of Dart’s friend to the war. She must go back to work, reluctantly. She still has her cold but it isn’t bad enough to warrant another day of leave.

She closes with a typical Dot quip. “Well, Chum, I must be off. (I certainly must be. They haven’t found any other excuse for my actions.)”