Dear Folks,

Everything clicks. I got up at the usual time in the usual way, ate breakfast in the same manner, had room inspection at the appointed time, attended chapel and returned home to find the one difference of the morning–two letters instead of one. You see, Dave wrote, too.

Your letter was most interesting. Now that I can’t live as I used to, taking trips and going visiting, I love to read about others doing it and imagine in the fun of it. I really satisfy myself that way.

From what Dave tells me, the gang around Sodus next school year will be pretty well broken up. The Adams boys with scholarships, the Gaylord boys gone, Charlie and Bill going besides those that regularly attend college (oh yes Pete Turner) clean the town of many of my old classmates.

You asked if I wrote to Gladys any more. Yes, in the same way that I did last year, occasionally. I really don’t know if it pays to keep in touch with my old friends because I will never see much more of them, but, I think it is a good idea to still know a few when I get one of those rare vacations. I realize more and more every day that my sails are set away from home and that I have big sea to sail on before I ever get back. Sooner or later old times and old acquaintances will be just memories and it might as well be sooner as later.

Today I answered Rev. Burnett’s letter of several weeks ago and that is a load off my mind. I simply don’t have time to write the Record and my letters to you are too personal for publication. That is the way I wish them to be and I refuse to write a formal letter home just so it can be published. The only proper bit of correspondence was to the preacher and that is his letter to do as he pleases.

Another thing is that my letters home are just for the immediate family. Please be as tactful as possible in repeating them to others. I am peculiar that way and I guess you know all about that. Before the busy academic year commences I shall try to fill all my obligations of letter writing.

You spoke of my cousin writing. From your good word of her, she must be all right. All right or not, I would be very pleased to know her better than I do now. I should like very much to have the opportunity of exploring my unknown relation as they have of investigating me. Friends are ever acceptable, more so when one is abroad and away from home.

Unless I am mistaken, Sis is supposed to visit the Thousand Islands some time around now. I expect to hear nice things about that trip and feel sure that she could hope for no better excitement.

I am glad to hear Dad is investing ever more in a new suit. You know, even Adam and Eve changed dress once in a while although they wore just a fig leaf and I expect that a new leaf made them feel much better.

You didn’t say anything about Un’s new job he had seen about, but I sure hope it pans out. There is a place for everyone in industry but the difficulty is in finding it. The vacancies are slow in coming but they are bound to come.

Last nite I attended the best movie since I have been here. The name was “Oil for the Lamps of China” and it was very good. Thank goodness I didn’t see every show that came along when I was sitting around home doing nothing.

The tests in the different competitions among companies are coming off now and at present the first company stands in third. Next week and the week after there will be many of them and soon our good or bad luck will be known.

Friday our company had their individual gym feats that midshipmen have to pass each year. The tests consist of climbing a rope hand over hand, vaulting over a bar, pushing way up and way down three times on the parallel bars and climbing up on an eight foot shelf and then coming down over the edge in a somersault fashion. In addition, the time being shortened by two seconds each year. Luckily I had no difficulty in passing but some of those more stout had trouble.

I think I shall enjoy my drawing classes very much. The rooms are modern, light and well aired. A good many have class at once, but we are not crowded in the least.

In September, or maybe before, we will change rooms again. The wing which Spanish is assigned to is quite old in comparison with the wing we are now quartered in. I too am happy I don’t have to change roommates. I have gotten used to Ralph and he to I, so that we make it together real well. He has his peculiarities just as you folks know I have mine, but we never argue. When we differ I always apply the old adage about the old lady, the notion and the ocean. Thus the subject rests, each knowing the other’s attitude. John has the habit for sleeping with his window closed on his side of the room but I have mine wide open so that sufficient air circulates but not an excess. I hope he doesn’t object to air in the winter, It will be far pleasanter if he doesn’t.

One thing you may have noticed from his picture is that he is serious. He is so much so that it is at time painful, and the fellows ride him about it some. He always manages to be everything and like Dave is always looking for the highest. He doesn’t slide thru on someone else though, but is so forward that at times he is almost repulsive. Those things are easily overlooked though because he is so fair and agreeable about everything.

Right now a bunch of plebes are congregated in a room just above mine and they are arguing fiercely about God knows what. First its the Irish, then the Germans and then the power of the Navy relatively. They all air their opinions at once, the noise growing louder all the time so I think I will knock off.

When you write, let me know how the family is coming, what each is doing and any news, as it is all interesting.

Love and best wishes,

Reg.