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U.S.Nat.Museum,Wash.D.C.
26 April 1948.

Dear Doris: 

I hope that you are warmer than I am -- my fingers are as stiff from the cold as in winter and I wore my winter coat and didn't feel any too hot -- cold northeastery storm.  I have shivered for the last 24 hours.

Helen called up to say that Amy's Natilee is going to marry a Florida man much older than she. Amy is putting on another room and bath for they intend to live with her. They must have a multitude, - Natilee's chum who has just had a baby and doesn't live with her husband. She had to go back to her job within a week after the child was born to keep the job. Then there is Isabel who has a job now as secretary to the chief of the chamber of commerce there, and I think another teacher lives with them.  Helen is coming down to lunch with me tomorrow, so I shall doubtless hear of all the rest of the Leonard family. 

Dad is attending another retirement party to-day. He has one a week lately. Fisher is retiring here, and they are giving him a lunch. He had his hair cut for the event, - it was almost a shave. I told him he looked like Ghandi. Tillie is very indignant that they aren't giving a present too, but I guess everyone is hard up now. Did you notice how they are trying to get folks to stop buying meat altogether as a protest against the big meat packing houses? They are at the bottom of this present wave of strikes, as much as anyone. People think they have to have meat, even at 1.00 a lb.

Grandma keeps writing that she hasn't seen you since Thanksgiving, but I write back that you are studying for exams now. She is looking forward to our visit when we drive up. I haven't given her any notice of bringing Delores along yet, but Dolores will not be any trouble and will pleasure her, I am sure. I supposed by now you have your schedule. I hope they don't all come the first day. Billy Dodge tells me he is going up to N.Y. this weekend on a sailing match. They got beaten last Sat and tied on Sunday.  He said, "I'll keep you informed of how we get along." as if I were vitally concerned in his progress in sailing!

This is Dad's Sunday at Plummer I. If it is a good day, and at present I can't imagine any warm sunny spring weather -- I'll take my paints along and do a picture. I wish Mrs. Taggard would ask me out with her sometime. She was down the other day and bragged that she got first prize at a show inBaltimore. 

Mrs. Willis is looking forward to Bequaert. She even hinted that we meet him and take him to her house, but I guess he would prefer going about himself, as he will have to get his supper before he goes out. 

Well, I hope your studies are going well. Do pick up in your botany even if you are bored. 

Love,  Mother.