Dart’s sweet letter is written “in the face of great obstacles.” He’s surrounded by a large group of guys singing everything from “The Old Rugged Cross” to “Dirty Gerty from Bizerte” very loudly and exuberantly. The spots on the paper are from an orange thrown by “some coarse person who doesn’t appreciate the beauty and value of good music. Or maybe one who does.”

He agrees that El’s shower sounds like it was a very nice party. He suspects El had something to do with all those knots ending up with Dot. He hopes he’ll have a hand in making some of those superstitions come true at some future date.

He expects this week’s tests to be challenging, so he plans to study long and hard. He warns her not to expect a letter, because he won’t be writing one tomorrow.

After telling about the gas drills using four types of actual war gasses and the stinging eyes that followed, he slips in a troubling little tidbit; if he were not worried about ending up back in the hospital again, he’d turn himself in for a look at his back. It isn’t causing him great pain, but it is bothering him. Anyone who knows what that back has cost him would certainly understand his concern.

By the time Dot gets this letter, she will have returned from Lake Sunapee. He sends her happy wishes for a wonderful visit and sends her his love, as well.