November 8, 1943

Dear Marty,
Two letters from you today-#13 (Oct 18) + (Oct 31-V). I get a little mixed up sometimes, as you had already told me you gave Pa a picture of my moronic ? + today I hear that you just got them. But your letters are awful nice just the same especially #13. I think you must have been happy when you wrote it. It was rather amusing that you should tell me about beautifying the downstairs room just now, because I spent all afternoon supervising the beautifying of our mess building for inspection by the C.O. of this sector. He is reputed to be a very fussy inspector + he came + went over some of the post, but when the colonel invited him to come + do our part, he said that was a sign we must be all set for him, so he would come back unexpectedly someday. But I learned more about the kitchen this afternoon than I would have in two weeks otherwise. I just took over the job at noon today. I don’t think it will be too onerous considering how I have nothing else to do.
After two pages of your five-page letter failed to turn up, I thought might do better to stick to one –page ones, but I don’t seem to be doing so well.
It’s warm + wet again now.
Tonight the radio is presenting an all-evening program is honor or Russia. They’ve played all sorts of Russian music, including the “Internationale”, which I never heard before yesterday, + presented specially written ballads, + speeches by Wendel Willie + people. Right now they have stopped for 20 min of news + stuff, but the Russian program is to continue at 9:20. Isn’t that funny- you haven’t even begun to get dinner! And it’s been dark here for three hours.
Sounds as if I could expect quite a Xmas, + I’m sort of glad you didn’t get the things off as soon as some people did. We’ve been getting Xmas presents here for weeks, + it usually seems better to open them as some are edibles that might get stale. I hope I get around to doing a little Xmas shopping soon. With all the goings- on around, I always get stuck here for one reason or another. I could write more but I’m going to save it. If you are always as happy as you were when you wrote that letter, I’ll be happy too (more or less).

Love B