Dart’s letter is filled with enthusiasm for his future class schedule, his successful shopping trip, but especially for the fact that he has only six more weeks to wait until he can marry his beloved Dot.

But first, he gave the lawn its first trim of the season and has decided he’s not a big fan of physical labor. He made that assessment after slipping in the mud and having to pull the mower out of sink holes several times. He certainly feels the lack of exercise over the winter months.

He’s registered for two classes during the second summer session. The first is a tough literature class that’s taught daily at the Western Reserve campus. The second is also daily at the downtown Cleveland College campus. That one is a child psychology class. Then in the fall, he’ll carry 13 credit hours, not quite the maximum, but enough to keep him busy.

The shopping caused him to dip slightly into their $300 savings, but he hopes to replace that when his May GI Bill check arrives. He was able to get swim trunks, another pair of trousers, some yellow dress socks, and  “a pair of black marryin’ shoes. Big ones. All my shoes are big, but these are the biggest!”

He told Dot about a congenial and productive Skyline staff meeting. He has come to truly enjoy his time with these folks. Tonight, they read 12 submissions and selected all of them. In the process, they were able to see some of their mistakes from earlier meetings, Dart joined two others to form a committee tasked with writing up a procedural manual on how to select appropriate pieces for publication. They’re hoping the results will help next year’s staff put together a better magazine.

He writes that he’s never been so busy, or so lonesome at the same time. Someday he’ll tell her about the delightful daydream he just had. He thinks she’d like it.

Just a note: Throughout the letter, Dart used a red pencil to circle and number every “I” that he wrote. The total came to 26, which he deemed “too many.”

#          #          #

With her usual number of puns and wisecracks, Dot answers some of Dart’s recent letters.

She’s pleased to hear he’s a senior and wonders if that means he might be graduating next January. She’s happy to hear he’s chosen psychology as his minor because that seems to suit him well. And, in case he needs a reminder, she tells hem that she’s extremely proud of him.

As long as there’s no snow, she won’t care what the weather at Sunapee is like. He mustn’t laugh, because her father still tells tales of the snow storm he witnessed up there in July when he was a boy.

She thinks his blood test will be returned to his doctor and Dart can just bring it with him when he comes. She’s able to apply for the license before he arrives and they can complete the process when he gets into town.

It would be fun to bring their letters with them to Sunapee, if they have room.

“What’s that about two minds with a single thought? In last night’s letter  I asked if Burke could come to Greenwich with you and today I got a letter from you asking if it was alright for Burke to come with you. The more the merrier!”

She asks why he will have to be content with a D in Spanish. Even if he gets a D, he needn’t be content with it. She hopes that she can help him next term by helping him run Spanish drills. “Who knows – maybe you could even teach me something. Although, why should you be able to teach me anything when no one else has found it possible?”

“Consider yourself lucky to be all wrapped up in you. I’d give almost anything to be in the same position.”

He spoiled the wedding gift she was going to get him when he bought himself some luggage. She asks why they don’t just agree to let their rings be their gifts to each other. “There is nothing I want or need more, and I’m sure neither of us can afford much else at this point.” She reports that Norm gave El a set of matched luggage, and she gave him a portable radio.” She quips that they can’t all be plutocrats. Besides, she already has matched luggage and Dart can borrow her radio whenever his heart desires.

Her hands are numb from writing and she’s very tired. Mostly, she’s tired of not being married to him, but that’s about to change in six weeks.