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had a last word with Jay before he left for New York tonight. Rudy was all for dumping the whole mess in Cummins lap. He has never liked Cummins and takes an "I told you so" attitude now. Somehow I never get much help from Rudy in spots like this. He usually gives the easiest answer or none at all - just sympathy.

When I got home, Mother greeted me with a request that I "must help her about this [[underlined]] awful [[/underlined]] thing in the paper tonight!" There was an announcement about the coming census in 1940 and how they were going to ask people all about themselves "personal questions," "questions never asked before" etc. She was nearly distracted and I spent and hour and a half trying to calm her with no effect other than to precipitate a dreadful wrangle. I had a headache and a cough already and before it was over, I felt like I could scream. She made me promise I would "take care of it" so she wouldn't have to go through with the terrible inquisition - just how I am to accomplish this I don't know. It is a definite worry to me - I don't see how in this case, I can do the job for her without getting into deep water. I am very much puzzled and worried.

Erie, Pa.,
Wednesday, Nov. 22, '39.
The Colonel arrived this morning to spend Thanksgiving. I didn't see him until supper. He seemed hale, hearty and cheerful. We went to see the Marx Brothers in the evening, taking the children. It was a silly thing that I was largely bored with but the kids got a great kick out of it. I went out afterward to buy some birthday presents for Willie and the Col.