Bates_B2278_F1_131

were to be in the New York or Mass
division --- We dont quite know how
which [underlined] we should do, & can only trust
that our letters will reach you any-
way ---

You can't imagine dearest -- how we
feel to think that you are already
up at the front! --- And can only hope
that you are only there for training &
not yet in the fighting line -- though
I know you want [underlined] to be ---

We do not feel the slightest fear
about you conducting yourself
well [underlined] & bravely --- We could not
help laughing at your comparisons
between yourself and Dick -- who
as you say "would like [underlined] to be a hero"
whereas you [underlined] feel that you are not [underlined] likely
to be - Don't worry dearest - the man
who feels his own weakness & is watching
himself to over come it, is just as likely