April 4, 1943

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mother,

Dorothy and I went down with good intentions to type letters after church this morning - only to be caught by our typing teacher who proceeded to make us practice till dinner. Therefore the illegible writing.

Since we had two exams this week it seemed as if we spent every spare moment studying. While I did not make the highest marks by any means I feel as if I did relatively well, so perhaps it was worth the effort. This coming week promises to be less hectic and so we are really enjoying this weekend.

Peep seemed to be too busy still this weekend to bother with visitors, so I decided that it wasn't worth going to Boston after all. Instead after Captain's inspection (incidentally by women officers - highest a full lieutenant) Dorothy and I meandered about the village in search of odds and ends.

The Smith [College] pool is open to WAVES on Saturday afternoons and so about three we trailed our way over. The pool is white tile and the sun sparkling on the clear water and bright suits of the swimmers made a colorful picture. A record player supplied Strauss waltzes so that we could swim rhythmically. We swam for about an hour, getting tired but enjoying ourselves anyway. 

To complete a perfectly wasteful day we decided to go to see Casablanca at the local theater across the way. It was a double feature bill but the one picture was good so it was all right. Ingrid Bergman, a Swedish actress, was a beautiful heroine. After the show we had sandwiches before coming back to the hotel and looked in on the U.S.O. dance at the Y. For once there seemed to be enough men - but almost all no older than 19.

On Saturday we do not have lights out till twelve so it is really a break in our routine.

Yennie [?], our Minnesota roommate met a second lieutenant, a flyer, from Minneapolis, so that was a coincidence anyway.

The advanced midshipmen are graduating this Tuesday and excitement prevails as they get their orders. Many are going to Norfolk and Miami, and these are scattered all over. Soon we will find ourselves the advanced midshipmen - and in a month it will be our class leaving. Most of the girls have four days time before reporting. We are hoping that our class will, too. Do not plan too much on it, but perhaps the end of the first week in May I may get home. How good that would seem.

Mrs. Roose wrote a very nice letter - almost as good as a visit at home. I shall write as soon as I can. The thought of the sweet violets in bloom makes me positively homesick.

I liked your Around the Village mention of the families with sons in the service. It must have taken you considerable time to get all of the details together. From the school news I gather that our population seems to be dwindling, with so many youngsters moving out. Perhaps now that Senior play is over Lib may be a little more mindful of her friends.

Love,
Caroline

If you think of it sometime, please make a package of my plaid skirt - the pleated one, and my green sweater. I can get a white blouse back from Peep.