It’s a powerful opening paragraph that meets Dot’s eyes when she reads Dart’s letter from today. “One of the finest love letters – and incidentally, one of the nicest surprises I’ve ever had came today. It was the letter you wrote Sunday night. It was no longer than most of your letters, which proves that you don’t have to be as wordy as I am to write good letters.”

In response to the news that Harriet is pregnant, he sends hopes for a successful delivery this time, adding that the troubles she’s had in the past must weight heavily on her at times like this.

When he gave Homer Dot’s hint about there being plenty of short nice girls at Kent, he didn’t show too much enthusiasm for the idea. But speaking of Homer, he and Dart may pay her a surprise visit this week. Homer has his brother’s convertible now, and if it hadn’t been raining tonight, they would have taken a little cruise out to Kent.

Dart will be riding along with Al on Friday, and he’s looking forward to someone else doing the driving for a change. (I suspect he’s also looking forward to seeing Dot for a few hours, too.)

Having dispensed with the trivial, he returns to a little romance. “Darling, when you put your arms around me as we watched the lake, I too felt a new feeling, or at least a stronger surge of feeling than I’ve ever had before. That feeling that was strengthened and made solid was the knowledge that we will always be near and dear to each other, each depending on the other for our happiness, our inspiration, our security. Our bond is increasing with each hour we spend together.  I can’t write more than two words without dreaming about the future. I’ve never before made predictions like those in this paragraph, but now, Dot, it seemed that predictions were in order., so that my thoughts might be more fully expressed.”

“As I looked at you, sheer, uninhibited joy seemed radiant from the sunlit warmth of your smile. I was wrong about beauty, Dot. There was a beauty about you on Sunday that ranks quite equal with all my previous ideas. Beauty is in the work of God, and surely He must have been proud of you that afternoon, to show you to me in such a way. I know I was proud of you and there was no mortal there to see you or see my pride. I had no idea that you or I’d react that way, yet all day long, I felt myself and us being called to that spot. I’m glad I heeded that call, for it has turned out to be one of our Moments.”

He says that he too has felt the call of the waves as he’s stood on the shore, pulled, yet fearful, for he’s known he was no match for the power of the waves. “So many times you have described for me your feelings, and your description was an exact reproduction of my feelings at the same time. When you say the surf’s hold on you and your fears vanished when I held you close, you are saying what has been in my mind: That I was no longer spellbound by the Lake, but liberated and at once captivated by you, as we embraced there on the sand by the water’s edge.”

He dreams of planning a picnic with her some time at his Uncle Guy’s lake front lot. They could play in the water and build a fire on the beach for roasting hot dogs. But best of all, they’d be together, which is what he wants more than anything.

Back down on Earth now, he talks about some errands he needs to run tomorrow in order to get the kitchen paint job finished. Tonight, he and Homer saw “Bad Bascomb,” a western starring Wallace Berry and Margaret O’Brien. They both thought it was a good movie, and Dart thought little Miss O’Brien was awfully cute.

He thought her new pink dress that she wore last weekend was quite pretty and very becoming. He’s glad she decided to stay the whole weekend, and now hopes she still has a job.

He wishes his “Darling Sweetheart” a good night, and thanks her for a worthwhile life.

#          #          #

Dot thanks Dart for his surprise letter, written late Sunday night after his long drive back from Kent. The package that was awaiting her at the house contained some summer sandals, candy and gum from home.

She spent three  hours cleaning her room and it looks great. She wonders how long she can keep it this way.

All the girls are at a party at the sorority house, giving her time to study in silence. She has both a biology and a history mid-term tomorrow.

“Ilove you always, and all ways, Dart. Thank you for being all that you are and for doing all that you do to make me the happiest girl in the world.”