Dot took another day off work yesterday, but ended up doing far more strenuous work at home. She ironed bedspreads, curtains, dresses, shirts and pajamas, earning three blisters on her hands in the process. And she cooked dinner for the whole family – baked ham seasoned with cloves and brown sugar, string beans and baked potatoes.
It feels like ages to Dot since she answered any of Dart’s letters. She left all of them at home when she came to the playground today, so she’ll try to answer them tonight. She’s going to the Pecsok’s house tonight. “Now don’t have a stroke! Neither Mr. or Mrs. will be there this time, so everything will be quite safe.” Gib is taking Virginia to a convention of some sort in New Haven, so Dot will be in charge of the three delightful Pecsok children until Thursday night. Apparently someone else will have them during the day while Dot is at the playground job.
Naturally, the topic of Sunapee works its way into this letter. The plan now is to delay their departure for the lake until after church on Sunday so that Dart will have a chance to meet Rev. Bliss before the wedding. She asks that he let her know as soon as possible what time his train is expected so she can meet it. She thinks one suit and a change of ties will be sufficient for “stepping out” but he should bring dungarees, swim trunks, and plenty of warm sweaters. September mornings at the lake can be quite chilly, she warns.
They haven’t worked out a budget yet, but food and transportation costs will be split four ways. They plan to take as much food as possible with them from Greenwich because groceries are hard to find at Sunapee after Labor Day. “I’ve been ‘journey proud’ all week, just thinking about going up there with you. Sorta like a preview of our honeymoon, minus a few very important things, naturally. Got butterflies in my stomach already.”
The letter continues the next day while she’s at the Pecsok home. After getting two more letters from Dart yesterday, she thinks she has about 10 of his to answer. She confesses to being in a rut, though, and warns him that those letters may not be answered until she can do it in person when he gets to Greenwich.
She likes his fall class schedule. With so much variety, she doubts he’ll get bored. If he has to get back to Cleveland by Friday to complete his registration, that doesn’t give him much time in Greenwich. She’s not complaining – just stating a fact.
“Congratulations on the psych test. Every day brings me something new to make me even prouder of you. Keep up the good work, professor.”
Chuck Pecsok writes a brief note to Dart at the bottom of the page: “HELLO, DART. LOVE, CHUCK” Dot is so impressed that a child not yet five can write that with no help from her. But the kids require her attention now, so she must close with a declaration that she will love him always.