Dart uses the same number of pages Dot had yesterday to describe his day, but he doesn’t seem to have nearly as much to say: He and Homer were out late last night, driving all the way to the west side for their monthly model railroaders’ meeting. Today, he slept too late to mow the lawn so a neighbor beat him to it. Then he tinkered in the basement for a while and accomplished nothing.
His political science text books finally arrived – all 1081 pages of them (small print, numerous footnotes – or is it “feetnotes?” and no pictures. He feels that’s a lot of material for a six-week class.
Burke’s receipts came from the University of Chicago today and they expect to see him when the term starts. Now the only question is: Will he get out of the Navy in time? Dart suspects that his own name is on some sort of mailing list because he received an advertisement today for a very special book: 70 instructive chapters, 150,000 words of advice, written by a physician who is a world famous expert on the topic of – sex. This book, which promises to be life-changing, can be purchased for a mere $1.98. Dart seems to feel insulted that he ended up on this kind of mailing list. He thinks he recalls that he and Dot discussed how they should learn about the mysteries of sex before they’re married, and they decided to avoid reading “that kind of literature,” and opt instead for a conversation with a doctor and a minister. He’s certain they can rely on those experts to steer them to appropriate reading material.
Obviously behind the times due to the mail schedule, Dart says he hopes Dot will reject the Miller’s offer to be a live-in babysitter and try to find something better. Little does he know that she was swatting away job offers like flies until the right one came along. He’s happy to hear, though, that her family is in total support of their plans to marry next June.
“I’ll comment some other time on your use of ‘hamburg’ for ‘hamburger.’ Sounds like a Dorie-ism to me. Just a groundless, personal prejudice I have against the dropping of the final syllable. The sound grates on my ears, yet I have no reason for the aversion.” (Gee, I’m glad he withheld his comment til another time!)
And now, he sends his love for ever and always.