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

Dear Doris:

It is so dark and I am tired of trying to see things under my binocular. I have just about finished the paper, and then found more specimens that necessitate writing some more on it, and I wish I hadn't found them, somewhat, but will feel more like it tomorrow, I guess. 

This noon I went over to meet Helen at the Mellon to take another look at the pictures, and have lunch, and she had Vannevar Bush's wife with her, and had her to take around. She isn't in the least like Reeba, his sister, whom I liked very much and felt at home with, but an affected sort of person, not very sure of herself and trying to over-do getting her balance. Helen gets along all right with her, but I don't think I should ever feel at home with her. Still we had a pleasant two hours, though the crowds there are simply awful, - on Sundays they have been averaging 65,000, and week days are about a third of that, and it is very difficult to see anything but heads. I met several people whom I know, and one Mr.Currie. He was in his priest robes (Episcopalian) and Helen had spoken to him to ask him the meaning of some religious picture, then I recognized him, the old Entomology editor, and had a chat. 

The old cat, I am glad to say, seems better. When I went home last night he had crawled up in the darkest corner on top of Dad's cases in the cellar, and couldn't be coaxed down by the choicest morsels. I felt he had crawled away to die, and I guess Dad did anyway. He spoke of going out and buying oysters for him -- at 65¢ a half pint. But after I hadgone upstairs to bed, Dad called, "The cat has come up and wants something to eat", so I tumbled out and went down to see the dirtiest old animal -- I guess he had wandered all over the coal first, but with his tail up asking for supper, so I fed him a bit, and this morning he was just as hungry. I am feeding Dad pretty regularly on liver these days because it seems to agree with the cat!

It is cold and rainy here too. I guess it is the spring storm. Your account of John sounds as if he was a nice conscientious chap, probably being on his best behaviour. The temperamental folks aren't so easy to live with, even if they are fascinating and stimulating. You soon get all you want of them, when you have them around all the time. You need a steady one to balance you, always remember. 

Well, it is time to go home, so I will take my stuff back down to Chapin's room. They are making doors to keep folks from coming up the stair way, and I am promised a case of my own to lock up my stuff in that will come sometime before I die, I hope. 

Love, 
Mother.