EEI to FWF0131919

increased immeasurably. [Wynne?], did you know that I personally went over and bought Ramey a bottle of beer at my own suggestion? And that I have told men who said they were going on a spree -- "Well, have a good time. You deserve it, I guess." And that I can understand why men in armies are much more excusable for sexual indulgence than men in happy homes (tho' I confess that ^while in theory I understand why so many yield to that very powerful temptation, actually I am as much of an uncomprehending Puritan as I ever was!) Yes, I've gone a long ways these eight months, and I've yet a long, long ways to go. But my lover, I am not afraid of the way the trials of your uniformed life have left you. Fire may melt gold but it cannot destroy it. And I have found that among the returned men, the man with the strong character has grown stronger with his experience. It is only the

inherently weak who have been mutilated beyond repair. And I have had the chance to know these men as few will know them. The war "over there" is no longer the romantic thing to me that it was. I have glimpsed its realities, and that is why I say that I believe I can understand the change you have been thru. My faith in you, my Dear, is unlimited. If my faith in myself were half as great, I would be, perhaps, a much happier "little maid". Goodnight, my [Wynne?].

I love you always. Your girl.