This is an rather upbeat note from Dart, except for a brief commentary on the war near the end of the second page.

He was put to work in the fire control area today – an assignment he hopes will last. He can say nothing more of what he’s doing, except to say that it’s “interesting.”

The ship is having an inspection later today, so all hands are polishing shoes and scrambling to find clean clothes in their sea bags.

Dart reports that last night he found a nice airy section of floor (deck) on which to unroll his mattress and get some sleep. When he returned there today, he found “wet paint” signs, so he must locate another place for his nightly snooze. What a strange set up!

He writes that Dot’s comments about the people getting rich inventing tools for the killing of people closely reflect his own recent thoughts. “Here I am, with most of the fellows my age, chasing all the heck over the biggest ocean in the world, taking pot shots at a few measly hunks of coral or lava with only useless monkeys and palm trees for shade on them. When we get through, the monkeys are dead, the palm trees are charcoal and toothpicks, and we have to erect our own shade. Why did we ever teach the monkeys to throw rocks anyway? It’s a giant farce.”

He’s decided that he and Dot’s new friend Nancy Lou have something in common; they both like the way Dot sparkles when she’s having a good time. “Your eyes and teeth are brilliant and your whole face radiates warmth and joy. Boy! do I want to see you again.”