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October 14, 1947

Dear folks,

Ah, this is the first time I have had a chance to sit down for three days.

Saturday morning Jean and I cooperated to unpack, buy key for, buy food and shoes and other necessaries for, and repack noting items for customs man Louise.   We were all done by noon! Now all I have to do is type up four copies of our lists, fill out some yellow sheets, pick up her fur coats and have them packed and insured, and wait for all to be cleared by the University Travel Co. here in Cambridge. Have been phoning to Louise's mother who sends us a blank check.  It is a necessary job; and we took advantage of the chance to sort out what we think she needs and send only that as opposed to her instructions to send all, one satisfaction. She is already lodged at the Cite Universitaire by now.  Have written to both her and Koen.

Saturday evening Dick Seed and I saw a wonderful English movie, "The Captive Heart."  I could rave on and on about its pointedness and friendliness and acute drama of men in German prison camp, etc.  Dick dropped over for a few minutes  Sunday evening too: we had made a pact to exchange one Crimson for one News, as I had an article in it.  I don't know when I shall hear from him again, but he makes Saturday night his only (that is, previous to last week's irregularities) time to "blow off steam."  He is really a rather nice boy, compounded of naiveties and keen perceptions, a marvelous intellect, etc. Two girls here knew him last year--Znette Wheeler and Polly Stokes, across the hall. They characterize him as "innocent and dynamic."

Sunday.  Finished Plato, taking a lot in, and typed up all notes on.  Sunday evening went to International Center to hear interesting speeches on Greece and meet nice Australian girl by name of Elizabeth Pilcher; we'll try and visit one another. 

Monday.  Finished the Iliad and wrote three News stories--an impromptu one on International Center, one on unveiling of a statue nearby, and one on Idler dance.  Probably they won't all be used, but it was fun anyway.  To check up on the Center story I contacted oneoof the speakers, Alec Lambrinudi.  He met me down town and took me to supper to talk it over--ah, your European man again.  This time I wasn't so shy and we had quite an argument over the manner of courtship in America and abroad; courtly love is at last beginning to dawn on me.  He couldn't understand my point of view, and said we were so "materialistic."  I told him I was going steady and thus discouraged him who believes in fidelity, if only for short and intense period. [[strikethrough]] But [[/strike through]]

Tuesday--it is now time for breakfast and another full day. These last few days have been the happiest since I came here, and in addition I have met a wonderful girl, Nora Millard, with whom Jane Myerhoff, another wonderful person,and I will get together.  Nora is an English major.  Everything is too good to be true and shall have to have a long sleep and quiet down this afternoon to a week of hard work.

Love, Doris