Dear Mother and All,

All week I have been wondering how you all are. No letters have come, just the apples, and I trust the old adage “that no news is good news”.

There is so much to tell you that I really don’t know where to begin. It seems like that is the weekly story, but it is always so. Today we played Virginia U. and beat them 35-14. Hurrah! Plebes carry on and plebes eat. The sad part of the weekend for me is two fold. First, I have to go on watch at 6:15 tonite, about an hour away, and second I hit the Spanish tree this week. I am not worried over it though, cause my work is not hard but I just had to neglect it a little last week. Ralph hit the steam tree and feels pretty blue, one would think it a matter of life and death! One nice thing about my watch is I have to be usher at the show tonite and in that way am not deprived of one of the big hits of the week. There is always something to feel good about.

A couple of days ago a young fellow came in the room and asked me “where from”. I told him and found that he was from New York, too, from Elmira. I told him I had an Aunt and Uncle there, but I’ll be damned if I could think of their last name. I guess I need to take time and learn it. This fellow was quite interested. and wanted to know what part of the city they lived in. He knows a fellow there by the name of Joe Shannon who is a very good friend of his. Let me know about this Aunt and Uncle, will you?

Last Thursday afternoon I attended one of the two occasions that plebes rate dancing at. The Admiral gave a reception, and it was the most formal thing I ever attended. Of course, there were many there with all the midshipmen and the officers of the yard, but the occasion lost none of its dignity. Everyone was presented to the host and hostess after waiting in line for about fifteen minutes apiece. A swell orchestra played all the time and dancing was free to all. The only trouble was, the room was too small and the good “yard engines” (which constituted all the women) were always being cut in on. I danced five steps in a nice little blonde and had to give her up. It was quite disappointing in that respect. I just crave to dance on and on–but I suppose I will forget what little I know.

The Admiral’s home is very lovely. We entered through the garden on the side of the house and went upstairs to the deck on the level with the street in front. The house is spacious and has a very reserved air about it. The floors are covered with thick Oriental rugs, the windows are huge, arched spans in the wall covered with heavy drapes of the most subdued colors. Much of the woodwork is black mahogany trimmed with white. The fixtures are very elaborate and glint in the lights like huge diamonds. The furniture is all covered with slips on the garden floor but there is plenty of it and it is nice. The second reception comes off sometime and I hope to have a better time. The “yard engines” (some of them) are plenty O.K.

The joke pamphlet that belongs to the Curtises I am returning and with it are the schedules of the Navy games and my personal schedule of studies for the next two weeks. Keep track of these major Navy games! They mean plenty to me in more than one way, when we go to Boston I have about four hours off in the morning. Don’t we know someone in that vicinity that I could look up if I have the time?

The cookies you sent are lasting well. I still have about a third of them left. John is trying to diet so I have no trouble. The apples delicious. “One a day keeps the doc away.” Occasionally I treat my friends but there have been no rushes yet. John and I have them all to ourselves.

There isn’t anything else I can think of right now, but I will leave this letter until tomorrow to finish. I hope that I will have a letter from you by then. Speaking of letters, I got one from Gladys yesterday and she says the English teacher belongs to her sorority. She knows her well. So far there is no word from Charlie Fox. I plan to get Archie’s and will do my best for Charlie. I certainly plan and hope to see him.

Sunday evening__

Well, I just came in from my watch. I never before had such a day. Last nite I was on until one o’clock, because there was a hop. This morning John piled out at six and quietly banged about the room until reveille so you see I got six hours of rest and only 5 of sleep. Today there have been hundreds of visitors and it has been my duty to log each one–who they want to see–who they are–look up the room number–call the Battalion office and let them know the midshipman has a visitor in case he doesn’t know him–which he usually doesn’t. I hope I don’t have another day like it.

This morning your letter came and I just had time to read it. The cookies were in good shape and the apples are ok. I am glad to hear you all are well. I thought many the colds would get the best of you!

By the way, will you send me my Standard Dictionary of Facts. It will be quite useful.

Yes, Marily works for Dwight, but I supposed it was generally known. Perhaps the Beals haven’t much money.

The time is short and I need it badly on my subjects, although I don’t feel much like studying. Anyhow, I will have off until next week by which time I will have gone to Baltimore and had the thrill of riding on something that moves on wheels.

So long,

Reg.