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November 10, 1946
Dear Mother and Daddy,
I have been spending my usual Sunday afternoon studying; only this time I have been listening to the most wonderful radio program. They have been playing the most wonderful music for the last three hours, and even though I have read sixty pages of history, I really couldn't tell you much about what I read. They are now playing the Overture to the Romeo and Julliet Opera. I didn't go to church this morning because I had to do some work for the Community Chest, and that was the time they were doing it.
I had the most wonderful music lesson yesterday morning; every time I go to one they seem to get better and better. He still says that I have done very good practicing, and I have practically gotten through my Ballade now. I should be able to play it all when I come home for Christmas; it's quite long. He always asks me if I am familiar with these difference pieces, and half of the time I am, but I always say no so that he will play them for me. You have never in your life heard anything so wonderful as the way he plays certain pieces. I can never imagine that I could possibly play the way he does. He used to be quite a prominent conductor in Czeckoslavkia.
My dates with Art Mathews really turned out quite well. He is quite the personality boy around campus. He is from a town called Susanville, which is in the mountains in Northern California. It sound almost worse than Elko. Nevertheless, I think he must know almost everyone in California. He is an extremely popular boy, but for some reason I don't find it particularly easy to talk to him. In fact I was quite worried when I was out with him that he would think me dull, but evidentally he didn't, because he was quite anxious to take me out. He tried to make a date on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of next week. I'm only going out with him once though, on Sunday to a dinner they have for their initiation. It seems quite exciting to go to a dinner like that with the president of the Fraternity.
I have continued to have my best times with Jack Carpenter. I had a small date with him on Friday afternoon. There is a place out in the back of the campus where everyone congregates on Friday afternoon. You don't usually have dates to go, everyone just goes. So when he came to get me, I went out to
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the car and there sat Art in the back seat. I practically died, but I didn't get disturbed and acted as though it were all very natural. Dick Huntsburger was also in the car, and when he went to get Anne Carter, I just sat there and said nothing while Art and Jack carried on a very nice little conversation. After we got there though, I didn't pay any attention to Art, and he went and talked to the boys. But I can see right now that difficult situations are going to arise. I also went out with Jack last night and had a very good time. He is much easier to talk to than Art. We didn't go with anyone, but we met Kay and Bill later on in the evening. I am going out with him again next Saturday; he also asked me to go to the symphony on Thursday, but I didn't fell as though I could accept that because I have an Economics test the next day, and besides I had already told Art I couldn't go out that night because I had to study for a mid-term.
As long as I'm on the subject I might as well expound about Jim Miller. I had a small date with him on Thursday night, and he was just about the most interesting boy I have ever talked to. He is very interested in music, and I think that he sings quite well, although I have never heard him. He is from Portland.
I don't want you to think I am going out too much and not studying enough, but I really haven't had any date on week nights, except for small dates between nine-thirty and ten-thirty, and even though I was asked out both next Wednesday and Thursday night, I said no because I have to study.
I was so glad to hear that Daddy was feeling better. I had my safety pin already to send, but I guess I won't have to now.
Love to all,
Mary
