While Dart didn’t bet on the Derby, he’s still a few dollars poorer today. He is, however, the proud owner of a Gladstone bag and a snazzy pair of trousers which are being altered to fit his “long shanks.”

Because he’s found luggage, pants, shirts and a sport coat so easily, he fears the worst when he begins his quest for dress shoes. I think he’d have pretty good luck if he starts his search at a canoe store.

The new bag, which was on sale for less than $12, is made of DuPont Fabrikoid. It’s a swell bag, but probably not quite big enough to fit everything he’ll need in Greenwich next month. Maybe he’ll leave a box of things for his mother to mail after he leaves Cleveland.

He knows that Elmer was looking for a similar bag, so Dart was pleased to call him and tell him about the great deal. Now all Dart needs to fulfill his wardrobe requirements are two more pairs of trousers, some more pj’s, swim trunks, robe and the shoes.

Throughout the day, wherever he went, he was running into old friends and acquaintances from his days at Shaw High School, including a couple of pairs of high school sweethearts who are now married. He doesn’t seem so envious of the couples anymore, since he will be joining their ranks very soon.

Dart was so busy at work tonight that he didn’t have a chance to talk to Mr. Barnett about the July job, nor to tell him that he won’t be working in June. He doesn’t think he’ll push the July job if Mr. Barnett doesn’t bring it up.

He thanks her for including the Easter photos. He had noticed her lopsided smile the first time he saw her after getting out of the Navy. “Why did you ever get so self-conscious about your pretty, big joyful smile? It was always so much nicer to watch in person. Now it’s even more elusive. I love the quickness and the readiness of that lovely smile. Some way you got to not liking that swell smile, and the new one runs second place to it. But when we’re married, I’ll turn you over if I see you sleeping on the wrong side of your face.”

He notes that she looks a little thinner in the pictures and wonders if she’s trying to surprise him.

Would it be alright if Hal gets to Greenwich the day of the wedding? Dart would be able to fill him in on anything they learn at the rehearsal. If neither Hal nor Homer can be an usher, which of her brothers does Dot think he should ask? He thinks Doug would get a bigger thrill out of it, but is he old enough to do it right? Dart thinks so, but wants Dot’s input.

He cryptically writes that it’s okay if she doesn’t want to sit on his lap, and adds that maybe someday he’ll know why she doesn’t like it. Could it be his bony thigh bones and knees?

She asked the color of his pj’s, so he’ll tell her; They’re blue, yellow, red, brown, green, gold, purple, in a paisley pattern. “They look like a nightmare after a biology lesson.” Eeewww!

That’s all for tonight.