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213 East 89th Street 
New York, New York 10028
July 20, 1973 

Dear Mother,
Sorry to get to writing so late in the week, but it has been very busy in the office. 
I think I have found out why I had been so unsuccessful in getting a job so far. Yesterday I had a luncheon appointment with a personnel agency woman, who was wondering what was wrong with me. She informed me that my clothing and makeup was poor and made a bad impression, together with a number of suggestions as to what to do about it. She told me, for example, of a face makeup which would prevent my face from becoming shiny with sweat or oiliness, and strongly advised the use of lipstick and eye makeup. She recommended that I get several good-looking dresses and wear hose. I have begun to take her suggestions. Last night I bought a nice dress with Dean's help, and today I plan hto get another plus the makeup. She also suggested a good wig to conceal my rather wispy and, in the summer months, straggly hair, and I've found a good shop for that too. So I shall make certain not to go out to interviews as in the past. She has several places to send me and is waiting until I can get the "improvements" in order.
Dean's infection turned out, fortunately, not to be gas gangrene, which can be fatal in 24 hours. He has stopped going to the hospital, which, according to his doctor, was "butchering" his arm, and is now pretty well healed, with stitches taken and no further infection evident. He was found he can get on welfare and is going about that this week. Welfare is certainly a racket if one can get on it that easily, but we won't sniff at the dollars it brings in. That doesn't mean he won't continue to work, of course, but he has been unable to this week because he h is not supposed to push anything heavy with the bad arm. He has been renting out his wagon for $8 a day, which is something anyway. That's about all for the present. 

Love,
Doris