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107

Mrs. S. -- Bring him along.

I -------- It's a she, Mrs. Southworth. A young lady from Louisville, Kentucky.

Mrs. S. -- Well, most assuredly bring her. [[underline]] Is it likely to be serious, Forman? [[/underline]]

I -------- Well, state secret, Mrs. Southworth. It is serious. You mustn't tell a soul.

Mrs. S. -- No indeed, I shan't, but I'll be especially attentive.

And so there you are. What on earth could I say when she put the question in such a way? And when I write to Mrs. Halsted about that dinner, I shall have to practically tell her. So it looks rather as though the engagement ought to be announced. We can have so much fun too, if it is.

[[underline]] To Willie, December 8, 1925: [[/underline]] And in regard to the job, tell him I shall write to Mr. Barnes in a day or two. I need that much time to think the thing over and decide what I want to tell him in regard to it. As yet I am a bit in the air, not knowing just what is right to do about it. It would be wonderful to be there and yet I must think of Mother too. As for the job, I know it would be a fine opportunity and one to be considered very seriously. I wish I could chase down there and talk to your father and Mr. Barnes about it personally. Maybe I shall but I have written to Mother and I want to hear from her first anyhow. I shall write to Mr. Barnes and also to your father in a day or two.

[[underline]] To Willie, December 10, 1925: [[/underline]] Last night it was 160 [[degrees]] F in one of the places where I had to take readings and make adjustments to a valve. The general temperature was 110 [[degrees] F and when I was in that I was actually chilled to the bone. For a wonder, I haven't the signs of a cold yet.

[[underline]] To Willie, December 13, 1925: [[/underline]] One of my greatest regrets is that the Nikiforoffs will not be here when you come. I'd give anything to have them here and have you know them. I could almost cry to think of having them go away. In their home and in their friendship, I have had my entire conception of Europeans changed. I have never been in a home where one could feel so utterly at ease, a stranger so completely "at home." Why, when I have spent an evening there, I come away convinced that most Americans don't know how to live at all. I spent such an evening there last night. Besides me, they had in to dinner, two young Frenchmen with the IGE here. Mrs. N. presided and was talking alternately Russian, English and French, all fluently. She