April 25, 1943 (Easter)

Easter Afternoon
Northampton


Dear Mother,


This is a 'closed weekend' for advanced midshipmen so we are supposed to be studying for our finals. we seem to have reached the saturation point., however, and studying seems an impossibility. I have been practicing typing for a while and began on other work but writing letters seems a more useful occupation just now (Looking out of the study windows into the backyard of the hotel - which we call the gravel pit - and where we [?form?] to march to classes. I can see the captain and a group of guests inspecting the old grindstones, carriages, cider press and other relics Mr. Wiggins has collected. They seem to be indulging in the universal past time of picture taking. The captain's wife, incidentally, wore a small hat of [?flowers?] and a large orchid corsage for church this morning. The Captain, in this most benign manner, read the scripture lesson.


Easter morning started bright and sunny, but it is overcast again. It is just as well that Dorothy, Jean and I went riding yesterday afternoon. We borrowed bikes from some of the Smith students thru a WAVE loan program. After exploring about Paradise pond near the athletic field where we drill, and watching the canoers we set out for the edge of town. Since we could not get ice cream cones we compromised on cakes and doughnuts which we ate by the roadside. It felt so good to be outdoors bareheaded and without gloves - I wore my plaid skirt and Dorothy borrowed my shirt and shorts so we made a gay group.


On Saturday morning we had another batallion [sic] review. It was sunny and warm so we did not need our coats. White tops, white gloves moving in unison made an impressive picture - I wish you could have been there. It was a great improvement over a week ago.


Now that the end is hardly more than a week off all sorts of rumors fly wildly. For example, someone last night said many of us would be sent to open a new school in Idaho - sent directly by troop train with no time at home. We were most unhappy. Our present training is no guarantee that we will enter this field. Other scuttlebutt puts most of us in Washington - sometimes it varies to Seattle, and so it goes. But if we don't get home we certainly will be a disappointed group. Some of the girls who did well in their courses may teach here - I am not among those priviledged [sic] few.


I have found our courses quite difficult - there are so many minute details that I always omit. Another month's study, despite our being tired of books and tests, would make me at least feel more confident on graduation day. I suppose, however, that our training will begin once we start work - our courses cannot be sufficiently complete in every phase of the work.


It certainly does look as if you had written a lot for the last week's Journal 0 altho I have not read it all yet. How much soldier news!


You speak of not being able to afford a [?cut?] of the Williams boy - If you remain short for yourself, draw from my account. Soon now I should be able to send something home. So far I have managed quite well - we have received $80 and Peep got $20 of that - some of which went toward expenses when I visited the apartment. Don't worry about the Filene bill - we receive part of our uniform money [?on?] leafing and the rest later so that should be that. Summer uniforms are coming in - all white for dress and navy cotton gabardine for work. I think I'll need three of the dark blue, but perhaps one white will do - depending upon where I am located.


(I suppose I ought to study now, but I don't want to.)


Peep sent an Easter box and Margarite - our little room mate - she is 4'8" tall had had a waiver to enlist - was well supplied with everything from eggs to nuts and cake by her family.


You might be interested in our Easter dinner menu: fruit cup, tomatoe [sic] and lettuce salad, rolls or hot cross buns, fresh peas, French-fried potatoes, fried chicken, and ice cream in a meringue next with strawberry sauce, milk or coffee.


Love,
Caroline