It looks as though Dot, too, is finding plenty of time to write. Her letter today runs seven pages. Well, actually five pages and a little greeting card, but some of it is laugh out loud funny.
She and Cynthia plan to be in New York on Monday. If that’s the day Dart arrives at Penn Station, they’ll just plan to stick around until his train comes in. “I will meet you at the same place I met you the last time. It’ll be easy to find you ‘cuz tall, handsome sailors aren’t as plentiful as some might hope.” She suggests he call her the evening before with his plans, since she’ll be unreachable in the City on Monday.
They’ll give the party soon after he arrives. Would Friday be okay? Nancy gets home from Cadet Nurse training that day and Dot would really like her to be there. As to the ruse being used to get folks to the surprise announcement? Easy. Ruth has let it slip that she’s thinking about a combination farewell party for Dot and surprise anniversary party for Harriet and George. “No one will have any suspicions as to the real reason before the time is ripe.” These Chamberlains are always thinking!
“Remember, after it’s formally announced that we’re engaged, people will expect us to at least act like we know each other in public. I promise you, however, that I won’t embarrass you anymore by getting lipstick on your whites.”
She was unable to keep her promise about writing every day from Sunapee, because she spent the first day and a half in bed with a terrible sore throat. Although she resented losing time at her beloved lake, she was able to recover enough by Sunday to “trim the entire family at ping-pong.”
She was happy to read about his little adventure in the airplane. She’s always wanted to take a plane trip, and now she’s determined to do so. “Say, did you plan a parking space for our helicopter on our garage? Oh, you mustn’t forget that! Why, what means of transportation would I use if I ever wanted to ‘go home to Mama?'”
Today, she spent most of her day in her room, packing, sewing on name tags and mending clothes. She doesn’t want to do that sort of thing while Dart’s there. She’s so excited that in a short time, both of them will be in Ohio and she’ll be staying there. She’s almost as excited to see his parents as he is.
She affirms that she was anything but disappointed when she saw him during his liberty. He’s far better than anyone she could have dreamed of. “As long as I have you I can’t help but be the happiest girl in the world.”
