JULY 29

1939 Sat 12:15 Was “dummy” through practically a whole evening of bridge this evening at Peggy’s – ate popcorn + coke. And I do want to be thin this fall!

1940 9:45 I’m determined to lose 10 pounds – (I’m hungry right now, going up to the lake yesterday shot the balance of that 5 lbs right to pieces… Hell. The irony- of- it-all – Hunk didn’t call about the dance again – He must have been utterly crushed the other night. Bill called tonight. I said no go.

1941 12:00 Waited tables this morning 7:45 – after 4 hrs of sleep. – Fun!  - Getting to know everyone now it’s time to leave! Show went very well tonight. Gee, Mr. Cisney is grand!

1942 WED WAS OVER TO PEGGY’S TO MEET THE Sargent SHE WAS RAVING ABOUT… Gee, WHAT A PAIN… AFTER FOUR BOURBON COKES, HOWEVER; I WAS VERY AMIABLE. WE TALKED French, RAPIDLY, AND HE WAS A DARN GOOD DANCER… PEG HAS gobs OF RECORDS… IT STARTED TO Deluge, SO MRS. BELL IN WAS PROPERLY hysterical… I WAS QUITE AMUSED… ha. SAW This Above All; MOTHER HAD “CLUB”-

1943 THURS HAD DINNER WITH Billy + Frank. And WAS GLAD TO; EVEN TOOK OFF MY HOSE TO BETTER ENJOY MYSELF. I FELT FOUL WENT TO THE DOCTOR HAD MY THROAT PAINTED… I GAGGED. WE SAW the FRED WARING SHOW… IT WAS GOOD. PUT RUTH ON THE TRAIN FOR HOME – ha!

JULY 28

1939 10:30 – Every night, I’m tired – all I ever want to do is sleep – Karl + Dorothy  - M R + Lee + babes were over for dinner tonight It was slightly bedlam-ated. Ruth brought me a little pin from Alaska

1940 11:45 if I had gone to Plymouth I’d have been due there today – I don’t know how I could ever have financed it – I hope it will be different next year! – I went up to the lake with the folks – it’s so marvelous up there I’d like to go + relax – utterly for about a week – I talked w/ Margie + V. tonight too much

1941 3:00 God, what a day! We started at 9:30 this morning + just finished now; I’m finished too. Rain, barn, sleepy, stomach ache.

1942 TUES Donna Jean CAME BY + WE PICKED UP MICKY AND WENT FOR A RIDE.. JOHN WAS HERE WHEN WE GOT BACK…. HE’S SELFISH… LIKES US TO HIMSELF… MOTHER + I BAKED COOKIES… CHOCOLATE… ummm… DAVID CAME OVER THIS AFTERNOON… HE WAS MAD! WE WENT swimming. R.H. # + LEONARD + I WENT DOWN TOWN

1943 WED Felt simply foul today. My throat’s sore… Came home, bathed, felt better. Listened to President, washed clothes. I think I’ll go to bed for a change. Mother wrote + Austin Killian!

 

JULY 27

1939 10:30 Thurs I pulled a wood tick out of Rex’s eyelid. – He’s a very sweet dog. Went to a tea for Jean Perry – Saw Marsha V. B – Honestly more people are either married or engaged!!

1940 9:30 Sat And me without a date – (I actually would have turned Bill down – if he had called) I hope Hunk didn’t misunderstand me the other night – I want to go to the dance Monday! – I utterly loathed myself all day today – Diddled around all day with housework – Ate alla time.

1941 Sun Well I guess it really happened – I just re-read the letter (for the 20^th time) I’m sure I’ll have to go to New York now – maybe with Mina… We rehearsed + rehearsed for Too Many Girls (I feel fat – damn it!)

1942 MON LEONARD’S NAME WAS IN THE paper TO GO TOMORROW.. BUT CASE TOOK 5 of THE FELLAS UP TO VERMILION AND THEY WERE SWORN INTO THE ARMY ENLISTED RESERVE – Thank HEAVEN. THE DOPE DIDN’T LET ME KNOW UNTIL 10:30… BOB WAS HERE WHEN HE CAME… HE WAS ACTING UTTERLY IRRATIONALLY… I TRIED TO STAY ANNOYED; COULDN’T –

1943 TUES Heard Johnny Mercer… wrote Leonard. Hated Mrs. Stote today. LEONARD WRITES MORE RATIONALLY. HE IS CALMER NOW. THANK HEAVEN. HE HAS LEARNED MUCH. I FEEL AWFUL. SKETCHED PEARL + LOIS + SULLY + ME. 

JULY 26

1939 Half a year gone - + so much has happened! – Karl + Dorothy are here – They want to know when I’m coming to Chicago

1940 Fri Hell – Eleanor phoned from Chicago tonight she can’t come home for her vacation this week, after all – I feel worse about her being disappointed than at our being disappointed

+ And a lot more happened this year! I hope it won’t be too long  -

1941 1:00 Well kid, the wheels are turning. This morning I got a letter from Ren saying Dayton’s + Auggie had welcome on their doormats + this aft, a letter from Boston Store saying Mlle wired them I got a tie for 1^st! – Mike got home safely tonight. I’m happy, if a little confused

1942 SUN WE ALL WENT TO CHURCH TODAY… (I DIDN’T WEAR STOCKINGS, EITHER!) – WE HAD WILMER + OLGA OVER FOR DINNER… WE SHOULD HAVE HAD SOME SOLDIERS, too. I GOT SOME SHERBET. WENT OVER TO Shirlee’s AND SOLDIERS… Damn MISTER PAYNE DIDN’T EVEN call.

1943 MON I HIT THE JACKPOT- LETTERS FROM LEONARD (WHO PRACTICALLY GOT HIMSELF COURT MARSHALED) FROM ELEANOR, CLARA, LARRY + HERMAN (WHO SOLD AN ARTICLE TO Esquire) – I ANSWERED MR. EIDE and WE TODAY; Herman + LARRY, too. MY LEGS ARE A mess.

JULY 25

1939 Virginia + I can waste a very enjoyable evening together – talked out in back + then went for a ride – (I have to push a little out at school, But I’m getting results)

1940 Thurs Worked today – Spitznagel took me out to Fosters’ – I was relieved to see they weren’t all finished and waiting for me – I should be sacked indefinitely, for wasting so much time – very disgusted

1941 Mike isn’t home yet – tsk, tsk. Too M G is fun so far – all morning and all afternoon rehearsing – swimming (cold) eat – shower – rush – Woods Hole – performance – home – talk – bed – (should write to Eleanor!)

1942 SAT CUT OUT MY PINAFORE… POO-EY… TO YOU, Mister PAYNE [AND I TURNED DOWN DAVEY!] – SHIRLEE AND FRIEND ELIZABETH CAME OVER – BOTH FEELING SORRY FOR THEMSELVES… I PUT ON MY STRIPPED T SHIRT AND WE WENT OUT and ATE ICE CREAM cones.

1943 SUN WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL DINNER – BROILERS. ICE CREAM, BROWNIES. I DIDN’T EVEN GO OUTSIDE TODAY. MY ANKLES ARE STILL SWOLLEN. ICK. I FINISHED Point Counter Point. ICK. I TOOK A SHOWER. WROTE Leonard, BILL + Emil…

 

JULY 24

1939 Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up a newspaper cartoonist (horrors!) I’ve got the opportunity to try it any how – I can’t get very enthusiastic. It seems like one more “have to”

1940 Wed I was absolutely prostrate Didn’t do a thing all day… except relax – Too warm to sleep, then went over to Sterns – beer, culture

1941 Now that it’s practically too late, I’m getting to know people. Beth Perry + I read verses together this aft. (Up at Hill top we had wanted to go swimming + a storm came up) Louise Woodruff revealed amazing insight + sensitivity coming back from Woods

1942 FRI Leonard’s BACK – AS ARROGANT AS EVER… HE WOULD HAVE KISSED ME IN BROAD DAYLIGHT ON THE FRONT PORCH – IN FRONT of THE neighbors + EVERYBODY. IF I HADN’T STOPPED HIM… IT MADE ME MAD WE HAD TO BE WITH A WHOLE PASSEL of FOLKS… WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BEEN ALONE. WE WENT OUT TO school, THEN OVER TO EIDES’ – TO SEE THE CRUCIFIX –

1943 SAT OH AGONY, I WISH I COULD REPLACE THIS TOO TOO SOLID FLESH WITH A NEW SKIN. MY ANKLES ARE SWOLLEN AND PURPLE… MY LUNCHEON WAS A SUCCESS. I DID QUITE WELL (BETTER THAN I THOUGHT I COULD) I VERY MUCH LIKED SKIN of OUR TEETH; WE ATE AT A French RESTAURANT… I DIED… SULLY + PEARL went out.

JULY 23

1939 I suppose R. will go without saying “good-bye” – I would give anything to tell him straight how things stand. That I’m grateful for  a very swell spring. But that I can’t understand his attitude the past week.

1940 Tues Hunk took me to the dance – I guess I’m getting old, but I was tired – even if it was cool – nice after a storm. About 8:00 – We found the Packard isn’t as dependable as he thought.

1941 Just ate a piece of apple pie Mike brought me… wept through the rehearsal of Cradle Song because I wanted so badly to be in it. I have 2 lines in Too Many Girls – I really wish it were something better… Well, I’ve learned not to “hide my light’ at any rate.

1942 THURS ?

1943 FRI OH LA, WE WENT TO THE BEACH! [ I JUST hope MRS. STOTE DIDN’T CALL!] IT WAS GORGEOUS… BLUE SKY + WHITE SAND. + THE WAVES BREAKING HIGH… I GOT QUITE BADLY BURNED, of course!

 

JULY 22

1939 – Laughing again, I am! I found out why Ray has been so nasty – He was out to the dance Mon night – on the outside, looking in! – It must have burned him up plenty to see me there!

1940 12:00 I was in a stupor all morning – I hurt my back about a week ago, it still bothers me – I finally – about 1:30 stood under the hose – I’ve got to do it more often – Wow – exhilaration. Typed a letter to Eleanor – listed to moosic.

1941 ? Well, Fanny did okay. – Spent a dull afternoon wading through prop rehearsal… Like Dox Bury very much. Sara Murphy + Barbara Ives are going to New York. Maybe I can go with them

1942 WED ?

1943 THURS I’M BLUE… I WROTE HOME and HERMAN + LEONARD THOUGH. (MRS. STOTE HAS A TOUCH OF CLAY AROUND THE FEET. SHE CAN’T TAKE BLAME easily) I GOT DINNER + DID THE DISHES. I SHALL REBEL soon.

JULY 21

1939 Went on a lousy picnic out at Gitchemoaton- Everything was perfect except my mood. Phooey on all men!

(I found out after I got home some-one had called – Eleanor said it wasn’t Ray!)

1940 12:45 Sunday – a wash-out, if I ever saw one… Bill + I went swimming over at Drake – Too many people – water shy warm… Went to a foul show tonight (Safari) I had a feeling Bill was utterly mechanical

1941 Mon Feel slightly ill… But okay mentally, for once… Got through my lines ok at dress rehearsal – Afraid next week is going to be a dull one… Sewed eyes, drew a portrait of “Lady Bartock” for sets –

1942 TUES WILBER HAS GONE… DAMN… WOULD LIKE to HAVE SEEN HIM alone… BUT PEOPLE STARTED COMING OVER… SHIRLEE, first. THEN BOB H. and BILL THEN JOHN + WILBER. Mother MADE SOME COOKIES. WE WENT after ICE CREAM… HAAKENSON surprised ME, RILLY… ESPECIALLY AFTER our TRIP TO 2^nd ISLAND

1943 WED I’M DEAD… I WENT SWIMMING. THIS TIME WITH NOT SUCH DRASTIC RESULTS… DOTTIE and CONNIE ARE fun, RATHER. WILMER WROTE A SWEET LETTER. (WHO IS MR. PHILIPS?) … MRS. STOTE IRKED ME. BUT I WROTE THE DAMN THING OVER. SHE CAN’T BEAR TO MAKE A MISTAKE! BILL HAS GONE!

JULY 20

1939 Nessa + Fanny + I rode around this evening… Jerry has really got that predatory gleam in her eye (haven’t we all?)

1940 tonight with Marg – terribly hot – bright moon… Marg + Kenny planned to be married next Spring. I’m so glad. Bill called late in the evening. I wonder how long I’m going to let him get away with murder… Went with Charles Harris.

1941 Sunday Today the sun shone! Got up in time for dinner! Thought I knew my lines + didn’t. Disgusting… I wonder if I’ll ever see Jim Maxwell again – Pride + Prejudice rehearsal looks swell

1942 MON

1943 TUES ALL I REMEMBER IS THAT WE HAD Lamb Chops FOR DINNER… OH, AND I MET AGNES + RUTH FOR LUNCH at McCREEY’S – WHICH THEY LIKED. POOR ADA – ITS ROTTEN. WORE MY SUIT.

JULY 19

1939 Wed Nessa ragged me all day about my Mon. night experience in the backseat – I’m still having no serious pangs of conscience – tonight I went to Denis’s Concert – Ray’s suggestion (he was selling tickets) And who should sit beside me but Leonard – (I hope Ray saw him!)

1940 Well I hope I fixed Spence… We drove up to Luvesne – I was perfectly okay except I only said about 3 words all evening. – If he calls again, I swear I’m not going out with him… I saw a light in Bill’s window when we went by.

1941 ? Well, Jim certainly doesn’t waste any time… I suppose he figured he might as well play for the highest stakes… I was surprised – Just naïve, I guess. After the show we went down to White House. Sat on the beach – breezy – dark – swell.

1942 SUN WE WERE OVER TO DINNER AT Bryant's this AFTERNOON. D.J. and I SUN-BATHED, LATER. THEN WENT OUT TO THE COTTAGE AFTER A COKE. JOHN + WILBER TOOK THE HARDERS’ TESTS over THERE – THEY CAME HOME w/ ME. DAVE WAS OVER AT 11:00 (I’D JUST GOTTEN UP – TO SEE IF I HADN’T RELENTED!)

1943 MON LEONARD WRITES THAT HE’S BEEN ACCEPTED FOR A S.TP. – WON’T GO – BECAUSE OF EMINENCE OF SHIPPING + CONSEQUENT FREEZING of PERSONNEL… IT ISN’T RIGHT… DAMN… I FEEL BEATEN… ELEANOR AND I WENT TO “MORE THE MERRIER”… I COULDN’T CONCENTRATE…

 

JULY 18

1939 Tuesday 9:00 I am completely tired out – I slept on the davenport after dinner. Ray came out to school this afternoon – He seemed very unhappy about something –

1940 2:00 Writing this by moonlight – I went to Lawrence Welk with Hunk tonight + thought about Leonard + Bill (I saw a gal in his car waiting for him when we drove past the garage before the dance – the louse – Hunk is so sweet to me… But scared

1941 Hell, one more day without sun + I will go home! At least I got my clothes washed today. Did a few sketches, had dinner with Jim Maxwell, (he took out Sally tonight!) talked with Mina, Donna wrote that Leonard quit at Coles!

1942 SAT 3:00 – PYROTECHNICS! – I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN HE’D BE THE JEALOUS TYPE… I TOLD HIM ABOUT LEONARD… HE WAS QUITE REVOLTING – IT WAS BROUGHT on BY HIS ASKING FOR A DATE for TOMORROW – WHEN I SAID IT WASN’T Ethical!

1943 SUN WE (AGNES + RUTH BACH) WENT TO RIVERSIDE CHURCH. I ENJOYED IT. I SHALL GO MORE OFTEN. HAD DINNER WITH GLADYS. [Fried chicken liver] + someone who had Wilmer in school! – We went to the Symphony… Brahms… Beautiful… I came home read. nap. that’s all.

JULY 17

1939  Monday And Duke Ellington with Leonard and I wasn’t expecting too much of the evening… It turned out super + + + - Thank goodness, I didn’t see Ray there – Leonard was certainly no slouch – I like him – He said, when he brought me to the door that he could not figure me out – I wasn’t like any other date he’d had out – Maybe I made a hit ? ? ?

1940 Wed W the rat didn’t call as he said he would tonight… I suppose he will care tomorrow when I not ready to go to the dance… I am just furious – Spence came over this afternoon and “nailed me down” for a date for Friday – He is so supremely conceited

1941 Well, darling *, I wish I could have about an hour alone with you tonight. I really need it. Morale was nil… Rained… Phooey I loathe the play I’m in next week. *Leonard.

1942 FRI WENT TO THE [DANCE with DAVID crossed out) … MOVIE Noontide WITH VIRGINIA, PEGGY, J.C. + “JUKE”. GOLLY, I’M GLAD I’M POOR IF THAT’S WHAT MONEY DOES FOR YOU… hmmm, I LAK – JEAN GABIN..

1943 SAT OH-H-H, WAS I SEEK WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE Barbizon POOL…! DIDN’T THINK I’D BE ABLE TO GET HOME; I RILLY didn’t. “Edith” AND I DID THE HOUSEWORK. WE GOT ALONG FINE… I WROTE HOME, THAT’S ALL READ Point Counterpoint FELT PRETTY BAD.

 

JULY 16

1939 Sunday 12:10 After exactly a month – Ray called up - ! He is going to work on the R.R. again – We went to the race in Luverne to-night… I felt rather odd - + didn’t say much… on the way back he asked me if I could possible like him a little, again – He said he couldn’t explain why he hadn’t called me before, etc – It was the old thrill once more –

1940 Painted woodwork, etc today – (If I don’t get to work + make some money - ) Went to N.W. Passage w/ Hunk… He looked so nice tonight – all 200 pounds of him… I thought about B.C. most of the day… wonder if he’s serious… Should I go out w/ him tomorrow ? ? ?

1940 ? Hell, I wish I were home. Got a lousy Cockney Part in Fannie – which is a very dully play – Wish I were in Cradle Song!

1941 THURS WENT TO THE DANCE WITH DAVID… WE WERE ALL OUT SWIMMING – SHIRLEY, BOB, RON, PEGGY – etc. – AND I SAW HIM, THEN… HE’S VERY NICE, I THINK… AND I MUST HAVE made AN IMPRESSION on HIM.

1942 FRI OH DUST + ASHES… I’M INFINITELY DEPRESSED. BUT BETTER, WHEN I CAME HOME AND FOUND A LETTER. HE STILL DOESN’T KNOW! ( I THINK I WORRY MORE THAN HE DOES!) ALL DAY I HURRIED AND DIDN’T GET A CHANCE TO WRITE. 

JULY 15

1939 10:30 I just ate a piece of the best pink, cold watermelon… Boy, am I cradle-robber!  Going to Duke Ellington with Leonard Payne – tomorrow is his 18^th birthday! (I thought Ray might call tonight)

1940 10:30 And a year later I write him a letter (happy birthday, L.) Little did I think he would come to mean as much to me, then… Maybe a year from now I will have forgotten him entirely, but I v. much doubt it. He is the type of person that sticks in your memory

1941 Yes, you were right, for once, dopey. Leonard is still very much with us. Wonder what another year will

1942 WED BASIN STREET MADE ME lonesome FOR Leonard… WANTED TO SEND HIM A TELEGRAM; DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND HIM. HE GOT HIS FIRST NOTICE of INDUCTION TODAY – fine THING!… BUT HE’S STILL ELIGIBLE for ARMY RESERVE, case SAYS. GEE, I HOPE he COMES OUT OK.

1943 THURS I WAS DEFINITELY UNCONSCIOUS. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT. I BOUGHT A $20 RED GABARDINE SUIT FOR $8! – THINK I DID WELL. SOME ROPE SANDALS. [THE NICE MAN TOLD ME I HAD A PRETTY FIGURE. IMAGINE]. ELEANOR + I ATE AT THE STEW BAR. STAGGERED HOME.

JULY 14

1939 12:30 Eide’s had a party tonight it was a lot of fun – just college kids – we played croquet! – I wore my plaid skirt + white blouse and a black velvet ribbon in my hair.

1940 9:30 My day wasn’t as ruined as it threatened to be last night – rowing upsets me terribly – I had to go outside; prowl around, have a cigarette + be alone about 2:30… This morning told Bill we’d better exclude the activities to the afternoon. – We had a lot of fun biking and drank beer + went swimming… I think I know how to take him

1941 12:45 brr – It is chilly! – Finished dress rehearsal – wrote to Clara + Leonard. Lines R. on the beach this afternoon. Met the new leading man

1942 TUES SWIMMING EMIL WAS HERE, ON FURLOUGH. WE ALL HAD LUNCH TOGETHER DOWN AT THE Chocolate SHOP… [ME + 7 MEN!] HE HAS MADE THE TRANSITION BEAUTIFULLY… I’M PROUD of HIM.

1943 WED I HAD NO IDEA THE EVENING WOULD BE SO INTERESTING [OR LAST SO LONG] “BILL” (DON’T KNOW HIS LAST NAME) AN EX- SWOON SINGER IN THE MERCHANT MARINE! WE HAD DINNER ON THE TERRACE, TALKED MUSIC, BILL SANG, COCKTAILS, CENTRAL PARK

JULY 13

1939 10:30 Painted all day – went swimming – B. Severson wants me to design a trade mark for her radio program – I would like a date.

1940 2:45 Sat For 8 years I’ve waited for this – to be able to go out + have a little fun – to date – to be attractive – to have fellow like me, to be happy – and Dad + Mother can’t see it – have to spoil it all by treating me like an adolescent. Because I came in at 1:30!

1941 MON WENT OUT WITH HIM…MIGOSH, I DIDN’T DREAM HE’D ACTUALLY LOOK ME OOP! – HE CAME OVER + I DRAGGED HIM IN TO TALK TO MOTHER – JUST TO MAKE IT LEGAL! – WE DANCED for HALF HR. or SO OUT TO THE DYNAMITE AND CAME HOME. HE’S VERY INTELLIGENT.

1943 TUES And we were going to eat out + early + accomplish much: ate at Schrafts and it took ages. Pearl didn’t [get] our message + felt neglected! oh hell.

 

JULY 12

1939 10:10 Worked 6 hrs today, walked 3 times (6 miles) + went swimming We go almost every noon – tonight, Mother + I have been talking about fixing over Wilmer’s old room for me- I hope I can do it

1940 Friday 10:30 – I was seriously unhappy this afternoon – mostly because I was tired, I guess. Bill + I went out to his folks house (to feed the dog!) – He wants an “all day” date for Sunday. I agreed, but I don’t know.

1941 2:15 Thank God that show’s over. – insects are buzzing in my ear. – a skunk lurks around our door-sill – we had a wild time getting home – I feel in character for my next part!

1942 SUN “MET” DAVID… (THAT WAS RILLY A SMOOTH PICK-UP, IF EVER I SAW ONE) – SHIRLEY, PEG + I WENT SWIMMING – MAYBE IT WAS MY RED SUIT. WE HAD SUPPER OVER AT PEG’S, THE CAME OVER + SAT IN OUR BACK YARD; JOHN K + J. de R. CAME OVER + STAYED and TALKED TO ME…

1943 MON Leonard wrote a dark, resentful letter, I hate his having to feel that way. Oh God, please let him have a chance… Had to come home this noon I felt so bad. Better, as the day wore on. We had steak.

JULY 11

1939 Marg is going back to the Hills in the morning – she wanted me to go back with them – But I guess I’d better stick to my job – Nessa + Sara + Marg + I ate hamburgers, potato salad – cantoloupe, sundaes in back yard and tonight Saw R. over swimming today

1940 This is killling me (but I love it) they all 3 called tonight! – Bill, the rat, about 8:30 – expecting me to go out with him then – Hunk came in during the conversation – I told Bill to call up his girlfriend of Monday.

1941 (Gee, the moon is perfect tonight… I wonder if Leonard misses me at all? - ) Slept until 10:30 this morning – Washed my hair (at last) Mike + I scrubbed our floor + rehearsed this aft. – broadcast a play tonight – “What a Life”, indeed!

1942 SAT PICNIC… WITH BOB BERG and JOHN and WILBER and BETTY Hervig + D.J. + BILL + Shirlee… WE WENT ON TOP of CACTUS – IT WAS CLEAR and BEAUTIFUL – and MADE ME ACHE FOR LEONARD. D.J. and I PLAYED TENNIS w/ JOHN + WILBER. IT WAS HORRIBLY hot!

1943 SUN There is a vague unrest, an uneasiness within me…! I’m restless, resentfull. What is the matter? – Got up + made French Toast this morning. Went to the Museum. Wore my dress. It’s tight.

JULY 10

1939 Mon. This morning I had $75 in my purse. Now it holds a quarter… I paid $50 out at school (I get awfully depressed about my tuition) – tonight Peg + Nessa + I saw Lawrence Olivier – In the L. Shop we were sure 3 men had some dark plans! – I got Iver to walk with us down the alley where the care was pkd.

1940 Wed. Worked all day – Bob + Del + I walked out (in a deluge of rain) to see Leonard – Blossom was “entertaining” him – I wouldn’t be at all surprised she’d land him – What determination.

1941 Gee, Harwich isn’t nearly as much fun – old opera house – fire trap. – Going back in station wagon was fun – radio. – breeze + stuff

1942 FRI WENT TO LEMARS WITH BETTY JOHNSON… SAW MRS. REEVES… I HOPE BETTY STAYS THERE, IF SHE GETS the JOB… TALKED W KLUCKHOHN. (HE THINKS I SHOULD GO TO Graduate SCHOOL!) WE SAW LEE off FOR MLPS… GUS LENT US HIS CONVERTIBLE… WE WENT OUT TO Billy’s AND DANCED… LEONARD STAYED – HE’S GOING TO MINNEAPOLIS TOMORROW… THERE WAS music!

1943 SAT A darling letter form Leonard I love. Ruth Bach + Agnes Hyde coming. Cleaned the apartment. Read + napped. Didn’t mail my package until tonight. And saw, George Krikorian with anozzer woman!

 

JULY 9

1939 Sunday 11:00 – Eleanor + I went swimming about 1:00 – (I seem to be making no impression on D.Richards) tonight Nessa + Terry + I went to D.R.

1940 10:00 Well Mr. Clements explain your way out of this one! – I saw you out with another woman! – And I’m so heart-broken – Don’t you wish I were… I’d like a date w/ Hans. Played tennis w/ Donna

1941 Wed. Gee, I’m a heel – Didn’t even send Wilmer a wire – Well, I’m a pregnant menial in Geo. W. slept Here... tsk, tsk, hope I’m not typed! Our show went perfectly tonight – wonderful audience. I’m just as glad I’m not in Stage Door – Wish I could have one good part before I go home. – Gee, the moon’s perfect.

1942 THURS 12:30 WILBER and JOHN, DJ + I just BRUSHED off A PICNIC of BEER… I SHOULD DO THIS MORE OFTEN! Wonderful! – WILBER IS A SWEET KEED… IT WAS Bill’s BIRTHDAY… FRIED chicken + ANGEL-FOOD cake. I PUT MY HAIR OOP + BOUGHT THE Blue SHOES.

JULY 8

1939 11:30 Just as I was beginning to wonder if something had happened Mr. S. brought me my $75 check – I still can hardly believe it –

1940 11:45 Mon There I go asking for trouble, again. – Bill called up – we were going for a “30 min” ride – turned out to be a 2 hr one… We talked about hypnosis + mental stuff most of the time I must “crystallize” my ideas a little,  I guess

1941 Tues First experience trooping – well, it is an experience! – We played to a packed house at C. … Charming Cape-Codish town.. Tryouts tomorrow. Wish I’d hear from Leonard. Looks like I’ll have to rely on Cole

1942 WED DON’T KNOW WHY I SHOULD BE SO OWLY – WAS THO! BUT NOT WHEN WE WERE DANCING TO THOSE KEEN Basin Street RECORDS of course JOHN + WILBER DID COME OVER SO WE COULDN’T BE ALONE… OH WELL, OH HELL.

1943 THURS Ah yi, I nearly knocked myself out shopping. Ugh. Too many peepul. Bought gifts for Clara + Shirley + a cotton slip. A gruesome dinner in Macy’s basement

JULY 7

1939 Fri 12:45 Virginia had a shower for Jeanne Perry tonight. Lovely We saw Cathrine Craig at Pay’s. I felt like shaking hands w/ her

1940 11:15 Beginning to get decently (indecently acc. to Mother) tan… Did absolutely nothing constructive – Went over to Janie’s – V. Faragher’s leaving for Washington + and F.B.I. job Thursday

1941 Mon Gee, now my name’s down for Wed + I don’t know the Waltz – yet. tsk, tsk. very typical. Slept this aft. Letter from Mother, thank goodness

1942 TUES Leonard’s GETTING PRETTY POSSESSIVE, again. HE + BILL PICKED US UP (Shirley + me) AFTER WE (+ D.J.) SAW “REAP THE WILD WIND’' [LOUSY] IT WAS HOT. WE LAY OUT IN BACK ON BLANKETS… Leonard WANTED TO STAY. QUITE BADLY. I WOULDN’T LET HIM… HA.

1943 WED (I wish I had now)

Sully went to Connecticut. I fixed scalloped potatoes! – A success. Mr. Krikorian hasn’t called!

 

JULY 6

1939 This morning Pal awakened me for the last time… He was hit by a car about 7:00 – It was better that he should not have to go through recuperating from a broken paw – he was so old… a part of my life for 15 years – I’m getting pretty bored w/ merely books for company.

1940 2:00 Did some catching up with a phase of my career that I missed when I was young Gee, I had fun… I seem to have made an impression on Hunk… He wants to take me to Lawrence Welk the 8^th – L?) And  - I had fun dancing with Don Forney – attractive brat.

1941 SUN BEACH… BURNED.. BATH; DINNER… REHEARSAL… TALKED WITH DON BUCK… SAID G’B TO MR. WALDRON… MIKE + I WENT WALKING… SANG… CHILLY

1942 11:15 MON LAST WEEK of TEACHING Summer school – (NOW I’LL HAVE TO START THINKING about WHAT I’M GOING TO DO… ) PLAYED 2 SETS of TENNIS w/ WILBER. (HE BEAT ME, of COURSE!) – SHIRLEY HANSON had A PICNIC… NATURALLY, Leonard WOULD WANT TO TAKE ME TO DINNER TONIGHT.

1943 TUES Mrs. Stote, pink + grey, had her purse snatched… I didn’t do much today. No short stories, thank goodness… We couldn’t find Sully’s bag! I was dead + expired on the davenport

 

JULY 5

1939 11:30 I heard Tchaikovsky’s 6^th symphony tonight – Virginia took me for a ride.. It is so hot inside It is an awful feeling to think you are wasting yourself

1940 10 – (Just in hopes I’ll get up early!) Saw Leonard today – Poor kid. He’s so thin – I met his mother… He tries so hard to act about 30 (at least) Blossom’s Grandmother is conveniently located across the hall – Phooey

1941 – SAT – STILL NO LETTER FROM LEONARD, THE LOUSE, WAS “UP” + “DOWN” TODAY – A LITTLE FENCING, FUN W/ MIKE, PARTY WAS DEPRESSING “TOO MANY GIRLS” – FENCING BY SANTELLY! – PLAYWRIGHT – FOO.

1942 10:45 SHIRLEY + I SLEPT till 10:00. DID DISHES, GOT CLEANED UP + HAD DINNER w/ BILL + OLGA…LAY OUT IN BACK YARD FOR A COUPLE hrs. got FAINTLY PINK… VIRGINIA’S Chris IS COMING FOR A DAY or TWO… ANXIOUS TO MEET him… D.J. + IVER + I RODE AROUND – ATE POPCORN – Palaced.

1943 MON Well, I certainly did little but sleep today. Rather disgusted with myself. I rationalize it’s still just lack of blood! – Read more Thomas Wolfe.