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Stoughton Mass.
24 Aug 1951

Dear Sid:

I guess I have told you about all there is to say. As yet I haven't called the hospital to inquire how my mother passed the night, — am waiting till 8, as they suggested.

I shall send a note to Mrs. B. on her condition and say that from what she heard yesterday she drove about here with the Ballatines late in the afternoon, she might well understand that her long wished for retirement days had arrived and I was glad she stayed till then, etc. with all my best controlled politeness. I don't think she could swing the expenses of heating the place on any retirement old age pension even if we wanted her to stay to keep the house open. I'd hate to have her here if there was anyone else I could get.

What has been a nightmare for years is now facing me, — how to keep the place until we need it. Whether to board it up & have say Frank Toomey a caretaker in charge... I half talked to him of that possibility yesterday when I came across from the hospitals and he didn't know whether his health would permit it, but I think he would be a mighty good one, and I should feel he would live up to the job.

Or whether to ask Robt Beals if he would care to spend the winter here, pick up work about carpentering and see his old companions. I don't know as he would consider that either. He would be another who would be reliable.

I shall start right in [[strikethrough]] good [[/strikethrough]] going thru bureau drawers and trying to put things in order in case we have to board it up. I think Kimtis would help me. The other day 

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