Bates_B2278_F1_055

Jos & I went into an ice cream store leaving the car
at the curb with Mr Kink tied up short and all the
curtains drawn. When we came out, there was a big
crowd around the car, and Mr Kink had his head
and two paws sticking out from under the curtain!
Mother gave lectures all day long to admiring crowds
on the life & habits of Kinks etc etc. No more trips
with Monsieur (or Madame?) Kink for me!!

We got a letter from Dick yesterday. You know
he is Executive Officer of the Cincinnati. He has
offered to lend me money to lend to his brothers
if they need it. I think Dick was in Florida when
he wrote as the letter took about the same time as
it did when he wrote from there before. A letter from
Lesley yesterday says that he is teaching flying and
is to go up with the cadets. He sent us about two
feet off the end of a propeller blade which he broke
in landing. Helen hopes to go to Cavite in Oct
if she can get transportation. We have not heard
from Nor since he left the hospital. Bull Lion is
home. He has just finished his exams for 3rd Officer
and is assigned as such to the Equador which sails
next Saturday for China. We have had the wooden
floor in the basement taken up and cement put
down. We are going to have the kitchen painted
and linoleum put down, but the cost of everything
is so great that we have to go slow.

The Watermans have gone today to Chico. Edith is
on the Land Board and has to inspect ranches
where women are to work. The Austrian peace
proposal is out in the papers today, with Lansings
reply that there is "nothing of that kind doing."

The Germans have got to be licked until they beg
for peace and make an unconditional surrender.

Lots of love from us. Will write as often as I can.

Always your loving father HLA Bates