September 4, 1943 The Sewing Machine, The Toothache, More Room and "One World"

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We got your letter yesterday and also our order from Sears.  They really gave quick service.  We sent a check and expected it to take a while for the order to come.  The things are all very nice.  It was all cheaper and of better quality than we could get here.  Monday is Labor Day and I won't have to work so maybe I can start on my blouses.

I have been trying to buy a sewing machine but I guess I'll have to give up.  I was all set to give $100. for a new one but Singers ask $147.50 for a very plain cabinet and no attachments.  Malleys has one for $104. that I would buy but I have to have an old one to turn in on it.  Maybe I'll find one in the classified ads one of these days.

We are going to move the first--where we don't know, but we want a larger place.  Then I can have the Dames meeting once in a while and Sully can come more often.  He always has to stay in the hotel and it's too inconvenient.

We finally got Willkie's book, "One World".  I haven't had a chance to read it but B liked it a lot.  I think you had better write about your books.  Maybe they have been lost in the mail.

I stayed in bed all day yesterday with the toothache but I feel much better today and I think I'll go to work at noon.  My whole head had almost killed me since Tuesday night but I thought it was rheumatism until my tooth got sore Thursday night.  It was one I had filled while I was on vacation--the one next to my wisdom tooth.  B took me to the dentist after he came home last night and he x-rayed it and pulled it.  I was certainly relieved to have it out and began feeling better immediately.

We have a new checker board and chess board.  B and Mrs. Hunt's brother have been having a swell time, but I haven't tackled chess yet.

Mother, you had better seal your letters.  Someone might decide to read them.  Yesterday's letter wasn't sealed one bit.

Is Bessie so she can be up and do her work?  Poor kid, I guess she had a time.  It doesn't seem possible that Junior will be 16 tomorrow.  I'll bet he's a great big thing.  I've run out of news so write soon."

                                                           Worlds of love,
                                                          
                                                                       B & Bonnie

NOTE from Ann:  Wendell Willkie was the republican candidate who ran against and lost to FDR in 1940.   His book, One World, built a case for a transition from a divided to a united world during a time when that was a difficult perspective for many ordinary citizens to grasp.  See the link below if you'd like further information on Willkie. 

http://www.usfamily.net/web/timwalker/sitedocs/home.html