Mother and I drove over to the Great Neck vicinity in a fruitless search for a house and then went on into the city to see Ray Milland and Barbara Britton in “Till We Meet Again”.
We moseyed around for an hour or so and then met Dad for a steak at the Twin Oaks.
Gloria Worrall came over this Evening. I’m still impressed with meeting up with her again.
A letter from Floyd. It must be admitted that inspite of all, he has complained less, and accepted more, with a philosophical spirit than any of the other fellows.
The end of the summer is officially here as the Labor Day weekend hovers in the horizon.
The day passed uneventfully Enough, and then this Evening Gloria, Joanie and I went to the Merrick to see “The Eve of St. Mark”. It was a gripping story of the war, and good.
Another Sunday which passed uneventfully but for the fact that when Mother and I went driving to give me practice, we had a blowout. Great, in these days of gas stations being closed on Sundays - and no tires! We finally snared a passerby to change the tire for us.
Labor Day, as I gasp to think that the summer is officially over and done with.
Talk about moving and our usual problems marked the day, along with dinner at Howard Johnson’s.
The war is going very well, as the Allies advance with incredible speed. Today Brussels was the fourth capital to be liberated, following Rome, Paris and Bucharest, and rumor hath it that fighting is being done on German soil, for the first time.
Mother and I dashed around today in search of a house, without having too much success, though it is admitted that we have a few leads. That air conditioned bench does threaten to become an actuality. - We took time out to go to Dr. Weiss’ for my second injection: more reaction, but no results.
I went into the city this Evening to meet Gloria Worrall. We hashed over old times over supper at Schrafft’s and “Wing and a Prayer”, the documentary movie of life on an aircraft carrier. It was Excellent.
New York is talking about last night’s Earthquake: I slept through it!
Another day of moseying around the house, still feeling a little shot after yesterday’s injection.
This evening some of the gals from Crossley: Elayne Ginnie Dorothy and Idris, came out for supper. They’re such a completely grand bunch of girls - about the best I’ve known in a long time! - After dinner we went to the Queensboro Theater to see “Ladies in Retirement” with Fritzi Scheff, Alexander Kimbland, and Elaine Barrie. It was indeed scarey, but good.
Today’s letter from Bill was real good. He’s just waiting around for orders now. I hope he gets that furlough soon.
An interlude of some accomplishment! Louise came over late this morning and we made out name tags and the like for the shindig Sunday, which looms heavy on the horizon.
I went down to Ozone Park to have my hair set and then this Evening I helped Mother can peaches, until I developed a severe case of dishpan hands.
Another potent letter from Bill. Everything must be all right again for awhile.
Mother and I went into New York and after wandering in and out of a series of stores finally bought a smooth black afternoon dress in Bussek’s, and a black and flesh Evening dress in Oppenheim’s. They’re both real pretty and I’m impressed with them.
We had lunch at the Campus, and then drove out to Garden City. I was pleased at driving back all by myself.
A day of busy hubbub, featuring a series of sandwich-making festivals for tomorrow’s tea, as refreshments were the order of the day.
I took time out for a driving lesson this morning, but plugged the rest of the day!
Home was never like this! At 2:30, with Jean Huber’s entrance, the avalanche began and lasted until well after 6:30. Forty arrived in all and the house was filled to overflowing. The group of Freshmen all seemed very smooth; and were properly appreciative of our attempts - Mother and Dad were bricks with their door-to-subway bus service, and fixing the table et. al.
It was an undertaking indeed, but I’m terribly glad that we did it. Nice gesture and everything!
A reactionary day with the search for a house being the most important of all. Things look quite desperately hopeless at this point but we haven’t given up all optimistic spirits.
I went into Dr. Weiss’ for another injection.
Mail from Colby, Freshmen, congratulatory note from Mrs. Marsh and a letter from Bill, in which he predicts I’ll end up marrying Bill Brennan. He’s so tender.
I relaxed around the house quite steadily, before Examining the Kew Gardens district for a future home. It’s so discouraging and really doesn’t give an optimistic outlook.
Mother and I met Dad at the New Yorker for dinner, before coming home in the rain. I went over to Glory’s for a bridge party at which there were also Ginny, Frank, Jean Lynch, Ann, Glorey, Edith, Audrey and Irene. It was pleasant fun.
Bill Brennan came over this morning before I was up and dressed, so I had to fly into clothes post haste. We chatted merrily for quite awhile and had more fun than with any other conversations this summer.
This evening I went over to Edith’s for dinner. Due to their Electricity not functioning because of the storm we ate and sang in Candlelit atmosphere, romantically wasted on mere girls. That too was pleasant and fun however!
I met Beth in N.Y. to begin a tour of stores in a furniture hunt inspite of the pouring rain. We wore ourselves out over the job without success in snaring much quality for low prices. The situation is reversed these days. We finally succeeded in getting an Adirondack settee and table affair for the KΔ porch, cushions and material with which to cover them; mahogany bookcase and floor lamp and shade. I hope it looks O.K.
The threatened hurricane appeared tonight along the Eastern Coast, with much damage of property. Long Island streets are impassable with trees sprawled across them.
Up bright and early to pack my trunk and send it off to Billsburg for the last time. Next year this time I’ll probably be sorry about not going back, but I’m just as glad that Life at College is almost a thing of the past. I’d be content to be “Out in the World.” A lot can happen in a year.
This afternoon, Mother and I went to the Music Hall to see Gary Cooper in “Casanova Brown.” It was dear!
The hurricane really ran havoc. Shop windows are blown in as if so much cellophane, and Electric light and telephone wires are down by the thousands.
Bill came over to see our damage.
Saturday; and househunting, and the domestic turmoil about it were once more the centers of attraction.
God, for a normal home life!
And so the Sundays roll on. This weekend has been one of the much hell and high water. I wish I were wise enough to ease the situation instead of irritating it more as I seem to do.
Phone calls and a trek to Tiedeman’s with Glory, Irene and Ann were stimulation.
The morning was quiet but this afternoon began attractively with last minute shopping in New York with Mother - the shoes and blouses type of thing - before meeting Gloria at the Astor to chat over a Tom Collins or two. We had dinner at the Dixie and reminisced some more.
At eight I met Bill Brennan at the Astor and went to the Palace to see “Bride By Mistake” with him. It was real cute. He came home with me and we said Goodbye. I wonder if I’ll see him Christmastime…
A letter from Bill Boyd announced that he’s back in La. I want to see him.
More moseying around the house in the morning before going into N.Y. again with Mother. We bought me a laundry box and a rain hat - picked up my evening cress at O.C.’s and Exchanged my lavender wool for a grey striped flannel dress: real smooth.
Mother, Lizzie and I had a Chinese supper and then went to the Queensboro to see Ethel Barrymore Colt in “Tonight or Never” a la subway circuit. It was very good—so she carries on the Barrymore tradition. We had a hamburger at the White Castle and then came home.
“Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow- - -”
We did last minute packing this morning and then flew around to the foot doctor’s and to take my test for my driver’s license before Mother and I went into N.Y. to see the newly opened “Frenchman’s Creek.” It was good, though overrated.
We met Dad for a Sensational dinner at Leone’s - the farewell celebration type of thing.
I stopped at Brennan’s and had phone conversations with Elaine, Janet, Louise, Glory and Bill.
This summer has flown!!
The last time! Elaine, Lou, Jan, Kay and I took the train back to Billsburg. Aside from the traditional spurts of heat and filth, the ride passed pleasantly Enough. We ate lunch picnic style - ample but good!
When we reached Billsburg, we discovered we were really glad to be back. Eleanor Heyer is to be Elaine’s and my new-roommate in the pink and blue room and we’re very glad about the whole thing.
Mrs. Snyder, our new housemother, is a love and promises to be a real asset to KΔ.
It doesn’t seem as though we’ve been away at all!
A day of getting settled and rushing over to the dorm to meet the Freshmen and renew the old acquaintances.
Elaine, Cary and I went to the Greek’s for supper as interlude after much hustling about.
A letter from Bill announced plans for a furlough some time real soon. I’m hopeful.
It is good to be back.
Registration this morning with Enthusiasm over Dr. Marsh, Haines and Gibbs. My schedule sounds quite attractive: Corporation Finance MWF 8; Urban Sociology MWF 10; Child Psych- MWF 11; Contracts MWF 1. Introduction to law TTS 9; Modern Painting TT 2. The prospect of no Saturday classes is Extremely pleasant.
There was a Big-Little Sister Party at the movies to see the Billsburg March of Time before mobbing into Barrett for a cake. Boots Cumming, my little sis is a Junior transfer and very nice.
A gang of us went to see “Janie.” It was real cute. Our amused mood was appreciative of it.
Up in time to pick up Boots and join the mass pilgrimage to Bruton Parish for the annual first Sunday service. It was properly impressive.
This afternoon there was an informal scrimmage in the Stadium between the Camp Peary Pirates and the Washington Redskins. Some pretty football was played. The shining spot was the fact that half of the Stadium was one mass of white sailor’s uniforms. It was wonderful! Elaine, Jan, Jean and I waited afterwards to watch em all march out. They all grinned and we had much fun! Stirring sight!
I called home. Dad goes to the hospital tomorrow.
I moused around in rather blue fashion worrying about Dad and his operation. Sweet letters from him and Mother increased my feeling. And then a letter from Bill made me completely cheerless when he once more said he has no hopes for a furlough. This time he means it - and will go overseas before coming home. My first round of classes was very good and I’m terribly fond of them. Each class threatens to involve an impressive amount of work, however.
Mother phoned and said Dad is in terrible agony but will be all right. I’m so relieved.
Lodge Coffee Shoppe (8 Ensigns), W.S.C.G.A. and sorority meeting.
The end of the first complete round of classes with me being tremendously pleased with ‘em all! The profs and all are swell and I’m completely satisfied.
This afternoon, Janet, Dottie and I rested in the dorms, and this Evening there was a gala Flat Hat meeting. Mac Kaemmerle the new Editor is most forceful - should prove to be a good one. - interesting anyhoo.
Irmie came over for a bridge game.
A letter from Jimmy.
Just another day featuring the second round of classes and still being a bit befogged by Contracts
Elaine and I moseyed around downtown doing Flat Hat stuff and buying the rest of our books.
We went to chapel this Evening (Beth was the student leader) and then played bridge and did a bit of studying.
Mother phoned to say Dad is much improved - he’d had 5 operations in one.
A big day, as all of the Seniors snared their caps and gowns. It’s an official thing and I’m proud as Punch of mine, as it still doesn’t seem possible that I am really a Senior. It’s wonderful!
After classes and hysterical Flat Hat work at the movies Elaine, Beth, Eleanor, Lou, Joy and I went to the Lodge Coffee Shoppe for supper - and then on to heckle at the Freshman tribunal. Much fun!
A rainy day to complicate the Opening Convocation, but inspite of it we marched in cap and gown and were terribly thrilled with it all. Inspite of our blase attitude about being Seniors, I ’fess big ole fat tears came in my eyes when we sang the Alma Mater.
The afternoon there was more Flat Hat stuff before a KΔ Rushing-Invitation Workfest.
After supper we went to the Pep Rally, feeling depressed at the comparison of it with the rallies of the good ole days when we really had a team.
Letters from Freddie, in France; and Eddie in the Pacific. Eddie sent me a post card and calling card off a dead Jap in Saipan.
We invaded Albania.
A rainy day, and I blissfully made the most of my classless Saturday and loafed around in the house all day, being cheered with Beth and Elaine over soup for lunch. This evening Lou, Dottie, Cary, Lorrie and I went to the Coffee Shoppe for supper and everything continues pleasantly.
A letter from Bill today was very sweet, but announced that I won’t hear from him for over three weeks and can’t write to him either. I can’t quite believe that he’s actually on his way overseas. Somehow he seems to be so very near. I pray that he comes home safely and soon!