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carried the ball. After they left, I answered some phone calls, received a subtle reprimand from Kathryn - something about "heat showing up the temper of steel" - and Marshall and I left to wander all the way to the Mayflower before getting a cab for the station. I think I was somewhat under the influence all evening in spite of a fish dinner on the train. I went to bed at 9 PM in my upper and still felt good enough not to be bothered too much by my conscience - except I knew I was pretty far off first base at the office - it must have been pretty terrible - I hope not too terrible. I'd hate to wreck my reputation just four working days before leaving WPB.

Erie, Pa.
Thursday, Dec. 24, 1942.

Got up at 8 AM after eleven hours sleep and felt like a new man and somewhat regretful over yesterday's events. At breakfast sat opposite a couple of soldiers in the diner. On the wall was a Pennsylvania Railroad Christmas poster which said, "To a Christmas of Hope and a New Year of Victory." One of the boys (both were pretty hard looking individuals) said, "I hope that Christmas greeting is right - A New Year of Victory." The other said, "I think it will be." The first said in the most sincere way, "Jeez, I hope so!" The soft, utterly sincere way he said it impressed me greatly for at first sight he appeared too tough to say anything just that way. And we all feel as he did - only I doubt if 1943 will see Victory; I think it will take a little longer than that.
Willie, the children and the Colonel met me at the station in spite of gas rationing, as they were down town anyway to shop. The Colonel changes very little although it seemed to me he looked somewhat older than last summer - his face not as firm and more lined.