CEHBates_Dec1918_009j

when you will all return home?
Do you expect to continue your
medical studies or are you going
to attempt to remain in the Army?

As for myself — I go my way
with the cruiser and gunboat
fleets and not even a war can
ripple the serenity of life in
the old white squadron. So far
as I know the nearest I came
to danger was about one thousand
miles and yet it might have been
much less.

Once again, Edward, best wishes
— and "may" we all be together
soon again with mother and father
in the middle.

Good luck, ever
Your loving brother
Dick