March 31, 1947

March 31

Dear Doc,

I'm specialing a feeble old lady, perhaps you remember I told you I was doing some secretarial work for her.  My fatal mistake!  As she just "adores" me and as hired me as a special, which is much to my dismay, however, if I make her day just a little more pleasant I am satisfied.  She is quite sweet - well, to get on, I have escorted her to the O.T. shop and find myself with an hour and a half which I shall spend with you.  If you have no strenuous objections.

Please pardon this horrible paper but it is all that is available.  We must not be choosy!  Mustn't we?

Your very nice letter was quite pleasing to receive this morning.  I was quite amused with your operation.  Oh dear, How I wish I could have been there.  Sounds like you had a jolly good time of it, but please, Doc, take it easy.  I can sympathize with your poor mother - What you need, Mr. Rounds is a special nurse to keep you in bed - May I apply?  Guess I ran mother ragged when I returned from the hospital.  By the way, how long were you there?  Massage the first night, huh?  Same magnetic personality, Doc, massages usually never come until later. Pardon time out to accompany Mrs. Aldis to the bathroom - Oh joy of life, at last I found you!

Now I shall continue, as I was saying, Remember my first day home, I pleaded for a steak - Mother submitted.  Boy did I have a time.  It was fun.  I think of it now and it seems quite funny. One enjoys being pampered - and I loved it.

Speaking of him, we are going home for a short visit after Easter, not being able to get off for Easter.  Oh, for some of Mother's good cooking.  Guess I told you they were going to San Antonio. No thanks!

Received letters from Doctor and he said yes, he remembers you very well and sends his best.  He is trying his "darn best" to get us to come down.  Would enjoy working with him very much and may consider a winter there.  He is a fine, fine person.

The O.T. shop is very pleasant.  Classical musical is played during each period, which makes for atmosphere.  That's for me, I am a fool for atmosphere.  Amid the piano concerto of Greig can be heard pounding, female chatter and everything else your imagination is capable of, but it is restful.  Some lovely projects are turned out daily. One of the patients is doing weaving, She is weaving some linen placemats and they are perfectly beautiful. I admire her patience.  Weaving is quite fascinating.  Jo and I are making the doctor a desk set.  Can't say when we will finish.  Fine Christmas present, I'd say.  It is a great deal of fun.  Something I've never done before.  It is amazing, the wonderful new things there are to do in this wonderful, wonderful world.

Have you seen "It's a Wonderful Life" ?  Pardon the incoherent speech, I may have asked you before - but you know, Mr. Rounds (forgive me for calling you Mr. Rounds, I'm not being formal) questions really should be answered.  Anyway, it was a very good movie.  Best I seen in a long time.  Frankly, Sorry I must leave, Dear old girl is tired so I shall finish later - Bye!

Say, Doc, let's take a vow?  Will you number your paper?  I promise to, however it will be difficult.  This is April 1st and we are waiting for Laura so I shall continue.  We are going out to one of the nurse's homes for dinner.  Wish you could go along.  She makes the best New England boil dinner I've ever eaten.  Not having ever been to N. E. I don't consider myself an authority but they are superb!  If I ever do get to N.E. I shall eat myself silly of seafood.  Also drive myself "dots" listening to the Boston Symphony.  One really must attend a concert to enjoy it at it's best.

Oh yes, my little rat, (how sweet) Let me tell you a thing or two - Speaking of operations, I believe you can say no more about your tonsils.  Did you know I had 6 stitches? 3 on each side, top that, can you?  Oh, it was painful!  Oh hell, aren't we silly - Gosh I think I'll have an operation - One finds so much to say!  Let's see, what shall I have taken out?  (That question was not meant for you, was thinking ) When I see you I shall rave on for hours!  Hypocondriatics to say the least!  

Must close, Laura is here and anxious to go.

Enclosing a sheet done the P.M. Hope you can stand this "jabbing"  Write again soon.  We enjoy your letters. Also take care yourself - you are a sick man - But you can gain weight.

As ever, 

Anne

Tuesday

Doc, while my pet takes her nap I shall continue my letter to you.  you will probably get very bored with my "moments of freedom" letters.  Guess I had better return to knitting.  By the way, are you taking orders for the snuggles? Don't forget, you promised a photo!

Listen my little rat, gosh man, where did we ever pick that up?  How affectionate, little rat - I shall tell my grandchildren about "the rat".  Second though, I won't!

Doc, tell me more about Mary.  She sounds like a wonderful girl.  I remember her by her picture very well.  I envy her taking the recent Y.H. trip.  Say, little rat, will you ask her about it?  Guess we could get some information from Monrae Smith but I'd rather get it first hand.  Jo and I are quite interested in a trip through New England, Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a summer.  Will you do that, please?  Anything relating to the Youth Hostels will be interesting.  It is a beautiful, beautiful spring day, April 1st = Boy I have the fever - and that ain't good.

Mrs. Aldis is calling - 'cuse me.

March 28, 1947

March 28

Dear Doc, 

Hello, Doc, I hope you have recovered from the operation.  Tell me, how was it?  I have been quite anxiously awaiting a letter from you tell all.

Being you have been so liberal with your correspondence Wisconsin way, I want to tell you I really do appreciate it.

Strange, no it's not strange at all but I find myself waiting for your letters.  Which is as it should be, I guess.  So, really, Doc, when you get the urge, comply -

You've mentioned it several times with ner a comment from me about the Prom, Doc, there really is nothing I'd rather do - seeing you again would be wonderful.  The Prom would be fun but you know Milwaukee is a "small voyage" to Boston and being financially unable, I shall have to say it could not be arranged.  Perhaps before then I shall land a  "sugar daddy" or perhaps strike gold or oil or something - Hell, (pardon the profanity please) why aren't you going to school in Milwaukee?  Why, Mr. Rounds?  Do you suppose we shall ever see each other again?  See no reason, why it couldn't be arranged, sometime.  Let me warn you, I no longer will be the so called good listener I was in days of old.  Frankly, I always thought quite the contrary - you were quite a fine listener yourself - Remember, Doc, the night we went to the concert, guess it was the night we heard Elman - You had just returned from furlough (or is it called leave?) and surprised me with the gardenia and of course, yourself.  Gosh, it was good seeing you then and I think it would be just a good seeing you again - or perhaps better, on second thought.

Tell me, what have you been doing?  I would like to write a longer letter however, I must get ready for church.

Write soon - won't you?

Nursing continues to be interesting work, I like it so very much.  Tell me, Doc, do you need a good nurse?  Boy, what a question - you needn't answer it -

Must dash -

My best,  

Anne

Enclose Bill's picture.  Really didn't want to keep it.  Joe just misplayed the thing - We have a fine one of Bill.  What do you hear from Mr. And Mrs. Agnes?

January 18, 1947

Thursday

Dear Doc,

And so again I shall start another letter to you.  Since I received your last letter I have made several unsuccessful attempts.  But this one, I vow will get to you, if I have to deliver said contents myself, in person.

This being a most quiet Thursday evening.  Everyone in Bark House has their day off including myself but had to work because I was off yesterday due to this damn miserable cold.  I've tried everything, from sulfa to scotch, but to no avail.  Anyway, as I was saying I am alone but not as fortunate as you, Mr. Rounds, to be home alone with "Honey."  

Now, really, Doc, you honestly don't believe you have convinced me that "Honey" could be a dog.  How could you Doc?  Tell me about her, Doc.  My, the right setting, Frank Mum and everything, you certainly do think of everything, Don't you?

We shall leave it at that.  With the famous last words I know better. 

We, both Jo and I were most interested to hear the details about Bill's wedding. Frankly, I think it will be mighty good for him.  That is, if Barbara can tolerate it.  It will give him something else, besides himself to think about.  Of course, Doc, you are going to visit the happy couple.  Who knows (never mind I was going to say something catty)  I think you should except said invitation, after all, Doc, I'm sure Barbara, being "the sweetest and best wife in the world" wants to meet the friends of her sweetest and best husband.

Sounds just like Bill, "Yep I went and did it," just as though he were buying ticket on a raffle or something of the like.  But we should be considerate - Bill is a fine young man - Best intentions and if he is happy I envy him.  He certainly deserves it as there really is such little happiness in the world compared with the unhappiness one must endure.  Yee, gods this writing!!

Speaking of having tonsils removed. (That seems to be an everlasting subject of conversation with the Roberts, Rounds friendship)  By all means, have the darn things extracted.  It really is nothing at all.  Even though I would not go through the "slight operation" (so it is called) again, second thought, I guess I would.  Do get them out before they get too bad as I made that mistake.

I'm afraid this letter is terribly dull, so if you have an engagement with "Honey" or anything else to do go right ahead.  You will be missing nothing at all.

At present, I find myself unprepared to give you a full detailed report on Benzedrine .  I shall try to remember to look it up at my first opportunity.  For safety sake, my dear, Austin Lincoln Rounds, I would exercise restraint, if I were you and would not indulge too heavily.  Incidentally, what has Benzedrine to do with Accounting and General Business?  Or is this extra curricula activities?

Saw "Henry V" It is a fine thing.  Really worth seeing.  I'd like to see the thing again.  Frankly, I believe more people would understand Shakespeare if he were produced in the same manner as "Henry V".  Olivier did a truly fine job.  Think you would enjoy it.  See it if you get the opportunity.

I have taken a job doing secretarial work an hour and a half after I get off duty for the old alcoholic I once told you about.  Anyway, she thinks she can write and I guess she was pretty good in her day - But!!  And of course, I don't mind.  The writing I do in one day is nil as she lies down on the bed, gets up, goes to the bathroom, comes out, gets her knitting, sits down, has me help her move the chair, gets up, closes the window, turns on the heat, led down again, gets up, paces the floor, opens the window, turns off the heat, goes to the bathroom, coughs, coughs some more, lies down again, finally jumps up saying, Miss Roberts you've had a hard day, you may go now!

Do I wonder - How long before I go bats?  The doctors say, she loves having me, so what am I to do?  Just keep her happy, they say.  I'm beginning to believe I should charge her more.  After all!  Anyway, she has loads of dough and she may leave me several million.

Seriously though, I think, God, if I can make the old girl happy by just being with her, that is the least I can do.  She is quite interesting.  Spent most of her life in Paris (no surprise she's an alcoholic) also traveled all over Switzerland on foot.

That would be fun, don't you think?

Someday I'll do something foolish (so people say) like hiking out West, or taking a youth Hostel trip someplace.

This is a very bad letter.  I must continually apologize for my letter writing.  Per usual I shall try to write a better one next time - 

Jo sends her love - 

Thanks for offering Bill's address.  Guess he wouldn't be interesting in hearing from us.  As I wouldn't care to write.  Do send him our congratulations when you write, please - 

Write again soon - 

As ever,

Anne