As promised, I have a letter written by Ruth Chamberlain, Dot’s mother. I’m sure she wrote to both Dot and El during their week at the lake, but the letter that has survived the decades is the one she wrote to Dart.  She’s using the typewriter in the office of the Fix-it Shop while she’s there to do some bookkeeping and other clerical duties.

Dear Dart – It’s about time that the man in the family had some attention. I hope you’re having no difficulty in keeping the harem straight! But I can picture you as having your hands full some of the time.

This morning it was so wet and humid here that I felt as tho I’d been in the Lake by the time I’d hung up a line full of clothes – But the sun was victorious and now it is a lovely afternoon which lures me and leaves me indifferent to all the things I should be doing here in the office. I picture you doing a mountain today; Sunapee, Kearsarge, or at least Sunset Hill, which, after all, has as satisfying a view as any of the three.

Have you met my friends Gordon and Margaret yet? Any questions you may have about the fauna and flora of the region, they will probably be able to answer for you. Margaret knows most of the birds by their first names and a good deal about the habits of other wood neighbors. Give them my best, please, and tell them I’m trying not to envy them having these days at the Lake.

Have you been able to get in touch with the Martins yet, or do they close camp by Labor Day? I think the Edgemont exchange might have their number.

There has been such a steady stream of people coming in with things to be fixed that I have had to hop up about every other word – which hardly makes for continuity of thought – but at least it will be your inning at the post office.

Give the Chippy an extra crust from me, and don’t let Dot appropriate the tube too much.

Best wishes, always – Ruth P Chamberlain

PS – Tell Dot that Mrs. Stoddard has just been in and asked for her, and also for you, by name. It seems she worked at Franklin-Simons for awhile while Dot was there. She sent you both her best wishes.

Check back in in a few days.  During this extended time while our two young lovers are basking in each others affection, I’ll post some other samples of the correspondence between Dart and Ruth, plus perhaps a couple of other surprises.