Dart’s jubilant response to Dot gives us a peek into one of her lost letters. Let’s take a look.

“What a wonderful set of friends and family you picked out to love! That shower was really wonderful. Today’s letter did wonders, making up for none yesterday. I was so happy for you that I laughed. When I read parts of the letter to Pop, he laughed, too. Gee, that was a swell surprise!”

He remarks how they all must have “got up real early” to put one like that over on you. He marvels that so many people were able to keep such a big secret, especially from one as sharp as Dot.

“I can just see you being so surprised that you sank down and cried! I know how little you seemed to expect that, so I can appreciate the complete surprise. You show your appreciation so nicely that people just love doing things for you. Gee, you’re swell, Dot. I can envision the Chamberlains hiding things in a hurry, then making an SOS phone call to somebody to get you out of the house, then getting out the stuff for another sprint.”

She mentioned that she got 12 pieces of lingerie, but he counted only 11 on the list. He’s curious about the missing piece and he questions whether or not he’s supposed to know about such things. He assures her that he’s eager to participate in the “christening ceremony” for some of that lingerie at Hotel Green sometime in June.

He admits to being “stoopid” about things like this, but what’s the significance of the umbrella at this shindig? “You mentioned it in connection with the cake and decorations, so what gives?” I guess it never dawned on him to think of this “shindig” as a shower!

The Petersons had three visitors last night. Tom Reilly stopped by for a nice long visit with Dart. When Uncle Guy and Aunt Jean came over, the boys retreated to the basement. Guy and Jean said they may drive to Connecticut for the wedding in June, but no one in the family really believes they will.

Tom once again impressed Dart as being a “peach of a fellow,” nice and so easy to get along with. Dart mentioned that Tom is a Catholic, and even though he’s not at all sensitive about it, Dot should know in order to avoid any embarrassing moments at the wedding. Well, maybe Tom and Dot’s Catholic bridesmaid Columbia will get along well at the festivities.

He shopped around a little for the conduits and other electrical material he’ll need for wiring the third floor. He ‘s happy to report that the materials will not be too expensive. He wishes he could say the same for the cabinets.

How happy he is that Dot liked his ramblings about companionship. It’s 2:00 AM and the cats in the alley are giving a concert, despite Dart’s having told them this is not a good time for such things.

“Good night, Darling. I could say something about not wanting to spoil that pretty lingerie by wearing it all night, but I won’t.”

#          #          #

Dot sweetens her very short letter by enclosing a $5.00 check for deposit into their penny account. She hopes that brings it to $80 or more so they still have a hope of reaching $100 in that account by June 20. Even if they don’t, she thinks they’ll be in pretty fair financial shape to start their life together.

Nancy had a date with Art, Cynthia had a sore throat, and Dot feels flat out dead. In spite of that, she and her mother and El visited at Gordon and Betty’s house today and took them their anniversary gifts. Dot can’t believe they’ve been married for four years already. (In fact, Gordon and Betty eventually celebrated their 60th anniversary by dining and dancing at their favorite restaurant. When they returned, Betty, who had suffered from dementia for years, quietly passed away.)

Dot’s cousin Dot Rucquoi and her sister Peggy and two Belgian cousins were visiting today. Dot R. is expecting her next baby next month.

Speaking of babies, Dot’s other cousin Betty was sent home from the hospital today after a couple of days of “on-again, off-again” labor. Dot’s grateful not to be her right now.

She’s excited that the wallpaper for the front hall came today. It’s a soft gray background with pussy willows on it. In fact, I remember that wallpaper from my visits to Nana’s house when we were kids. I guess when they found a paper they could live with, they were in no rush to re-do that massive foyer and stairwell ever again!

Someone was willing to switch hours with Dot on Sunday, so she’ll be able to attend Easter services after all.

She noticed that Dart put a recent stamp on upside down. Yes, she loves him, too. “For more details, see tomorrow’s mailbox!”