There’s still no mail call for Dart. He’s still in port and the rain has stopped, but the sea is too choppy for an “unnecessary” boat trip to the post office. Most of the men on board would argue that mail call is most necessary!

Since the rain has stopped, they’ve reverted to their in port routine; painting the ship. It’s a constant task, but today’s beautiful spring-like weather made it a pleasant one. As they were painting the outside of the ship, high above the sea’s surface, everyone was reminded of the perfect Spring days back home. Some even swore the breeze carried with it the fresh scent of cut grass and overturned earth.

He had promised Dot he would spend some time looking at March’s full moon, but the first time he went outside to look at it, he got a face full of rain. Tonight, however, the sky is filled with high yellow clouds and the brilliant moon is shining right through them. “Reminds me of a sequin-covered dress I dated for a dance once.”

After a beautiful descriptive paragraph about the perfect beauty of the weather and location, he writes, “Next to being at home with you, this is the best of Navy life. Guess I’m just a fair-weather sailor at heart, if I’m any kind of sailor at all.”

“Days like this, while they’re beautiful and pleasant, only make me wish all the more that you and I were enjoying them together.”

Dot’s letter is so witty and charming that I think I’ll quote most of it verbatim.

“If I promise faithfully to write a long letter tomorrow, will you let me by with another short one tonight? Thanks. I knew you’d understand. (What chance do you have to protest? None. That’s the way I do business.)

Our trip to New York yesterday was successful, barring the blisters, and we had lots of fun trying to find our way around the big city. We saw “Practically Yours,” with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, a very cute picture, and Benny Goodman in person. The whole show was excellent.

While we were waiting for our train to take us home, we decided to have our pictures taken in one of those machines. I took off my hat so I wouldn’t look stupid, but I might just as well have left it on. I look stupid anywho. I was planning to send you one, but not wanting you to stay out there, I decided against it. On the other hand, they tell us to send you boys things that will make you laugh, so who am I to deprive you of having a good laugh, even if it’s on me? By the way, that ‘come-on’ look that I’m wearing has a patent on it and is reserved for you and you alone.

Say, I don’t know who’s out there winning the war except you and Gordon. Looks to me like the entire fleet is in New York. I never saw so many sailors in my life, not even in the movies. A sailor and his girl sat right in front of us in the movies. They were holding hands. (Is there a sailor that doesn’t?) and boy, did I wish you were there!  This letter isn’t too short, considering I haven’t heard from you in a week and it’s 1:00 A. M. I love you and I miss you.”

How I’d love to see the photos she had taken in that booth – the ones with the patented  “come-on” look!