Holyoke
February 17
Dear Mother,
Since you had heard nothing of me since I left, it only confirms my suspicions about mail ever being sent out of places like this for I mailed an airmail letter Saturday evening. (This one will go from South Hadley the little town the college is in -)
I know I should have written on Monday or Tuesday but we have had practically no time to even sit down, let alone write anything but class notes. Then, too, since physical exams were Tuesday afternoon I thought I had better see how I fared. The color blindness did not count. Feet [?] went on your word but my heart did something or other so I had to have a pulse check this morning. Everything seems to be all right so it looks as if I will wear navy blue after all.
We were taken to Northampton by bus for the physicals at three o'clock yesterday afternoon and were also to have uniform fittings at Filene's so we spent a strenuous afternoon with not a shred of glamor or privacy left to our names by six o'clock. Both Filene's and the dispensary are in converted garages so you can see that everything is not just as you might expect it. We were a very weary group that got back to Holyoke for dinner - chicken a la king raised our spirits somewhat, tho.
I did not get all the details about your telegram till after eight and then only knew that there was one -I had to spend an hour's fretting till liberty at 9:30 to call the phone company to get the message. I was relieved to hear that you were well.
Since this was started we were mustered out into the hall and told to get blouses in the Filene shop in the basement - packing cases and racks. I now have: one suit being altered, one suit to be altered, a raincoat that drips off me, one light blue blouse, one white, two ties and a bag - plus three pairs of stockings [?] - required immediately. Alterations will take about two weeks, I suppose so I'll wear out my plaid suit by then.
Now to answer some questions you will probably ask:
No shots as yet.
Very little drill (comparatively speaking)
No gym work - yet - but soon.
Our indoctrination course is cut to three weeks instead of four.
We are in bed at 10 and get up at 6:15.
Food is exceptionally good - variety and quantity.
We do have five hours of classes which require pages of notes and much memory work. Three women and two men are our instructors - all different types despite the uniform - and all with different approaches to the classes. Our first exams come up soon so we shall study all the more. Naval history is probably most interesting and familiar.
Naval law is most new possibly[?], since we are beginning to realize that we are no longer under civilian regulations. Theresa quite properly did not say where she was to be sent - you get yourself in trouble doing that and any number of other things.
You probably would like to hear a little more about the other girls in this room. Jean is the oldest, I think, and was a high school teacher in Chicago. She is good natured but not a type I like too much, but pleasant. Louise is a personnel worker from Missouri - pretty and quiet. Dorothy and Miriam (Dot & Mimi) are both New Englanders from Maine and Massachusetts respectively. Dot taught high school athletics and Mimi was a librarian. She (M.) is short and curly haired with lovely eyes -
We are all pretty much alike in being serious and trying to learn what we are being told we should. Despite our best efforts, however, we cannot seem to get all of the dust mopped up for inspection. Our aim is "shipshape and seamanlike."
As a great wonder a U.S.O. show scheduled for this afternoon was cancelled giving us a vast amount of free time on a sunny afternoon - so I'll hurry to finish now.
We did not mind the extreme cold too much - our classes are close by.
Peep sent a card - I think I could go February 28 but probably won't. It will be more fun to go in uniform as a midshipman and anyhow there is too much work.
Please tell Grandpa and Uncle Russ I am thinking of them and will write as soon as I can. Betty might also like to hear some of these details. The billfold saves my life since we cannot carry purses.
How did Round the Village go this week? I hope you're not too lonely.
Love,
Caroline
If I don't write till the weekend don't worry - there just isn't time.
When I look at some of the other women here I think the W's I'm with were a lucky assortment.
Below: First and last pages of the letter plus chapel enclosure.
No comments:
Post a Comment