Dot begins by saying that if the letter Dart wrote and never mailed said what she thinks it did, she wouldn’t blame him. She deserves anything he might say because her letter-writing has been horribly lax. She’s decided to quit the excuses about her busy schedule and write at least something to him every day.

She tells Dart that she received a wonderful letter from his mother yesterday, inviting her to stay with them during Dart’s leave. It nearly made Dot cry when she realized how slim the chances are that he’ll get any leave at all. She keeps telling herself not to count on it, but as long as there’s a sliver of a chance, she cannot give up hope. “If prayers, wishes and dreams have anything to do with it, you can consider yourself practically home.”

Referring to his comment that studying seems fruitless to him, she said that’s what she used to say about chemistry. Then she decided to commit to studying every day for a month, and her chem grade went from a C- to an A.

She kids him subtly about his detailed descriptions of the equipment he’s learning to use, calling him “Professor.” She doesn’t understand a thing he said, but she accepts the fact that these gadgets are good things to have on ships, and trusts he’ll manage to learn what he needs to know.

She’s very excited that Cynthia is coming home this weekend from Oberlin College in Ohio. They haven’t seen each other since Dart’s visit to Greenwich last summer. Cynthia writes that she has met a guy at school who’s 6′ 5″. Dot thinks they must make quite a sight, since Cynthia is a mere 5′ 4″.

Dot has begun her Christmas shopping, not to avoid the rush, but to stretch it out so her bank account won’t take too big a hit all at once. Besides, she loves to shop for the holiday, so starting early lets her enjoy it longer.

Back to the hottest topic on her mind, she wonders why the Navy couldn’t give Dart more than a day’s notice if he gets a leave. She would give anything to be at the East Cleveland station to see him jump off that train! When she told the girls at work that he probably wouldn’t get to come home, they were so disappointed. She truly appreciates their support as they celebrate her joys and share her miseries.

It’s cold tonight in her little apartment at the Miller’s house. She knows that if he were with her, the warmth in her heart would radiate throughout the room and keep her toasty, even at thirty degrees below zero.

She closes with “I love you very much, Dart. Please don’t for a second question it!”