Dart’s brevity and shaky handwriting are explained by the train he’s on. He’s on his way home from a concert in San Francisco.

He met a couple of soldiers when he picked up his free concert tickets and the three of them had a nice evening together. They all enjoyed the symphony and topping off the night with fried egg sandwiches and Pepsi.

Soloist Larry Adler played “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Bolero” and “Holiday for Strings,” followed by vocalist John Charles Thomas who sang for half an hour. The orchestra played Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.

In Dart’s opinion, the orchestra could not compare to Cleveland’s symphony or the NYC Philharmonic, but was quite good for San Francisco. Throughout the performance, he imagined Dot sitting beside him.

Dot agrees that she likes the sound of “Dearest” better than the impersonal greeting of “Dear.” She thinks that since she tried to match his letters in tone, he must not have too many from her that do not begin with “Dearest.” She has only three of the “Dear Dot” variety, signed with a “Sincerely.” Thinking back, it’s clear they moved through the levels of affection rather quickly in their early correspondence.

She ought to have been in bed three hours ago if she wants to rid herself of this miserable cold. If only she could focus all her efforts on healing, she might get over it sooner, but they’re too busy at FS and she is in too great a need for money to stay home a day.

She hopes he got the assignment he wanted, although exactly what it is seems as clear to her as mud.

Now she really must sleep.