Feb 24, 1918Dear Dr. Clapp -
Where shall I begin? I've thought this times enough so I'll leave a beginning out now. I guess I'm beginning to be decline [?] about writing letters. I haven't squeezed much out lately - only kept wishing that I could see you. I never wished this so much in my life as I have this year. There are things enough to visit about besides department but in this day I guess that is simplest to tell about.
In the first place I was glad of your letter and how much i want to see you. It didn't say when you were coming back. Are you going to stay very late in the spring? So many nights this year I've wished there were some kind of swift conveyance to Florida.
My days are spent in begging, borrowing, some teaching and corresponding with folks about next year. There has been all the mess of details which you know too well to be told and there has been singing through all the details and the buzz the stability which you said in your "The Cathouse Rill remains." Days which are full of interruptions stumble into music or peaceful thoughts like that. It is all interesting and now full of the interest which comes when you are not sure. Too I'm not sure of much of anything. Yet while I'm saying that I know a few of which I'm more sure than I've ever been before. Of a good many I'm not so confident and if ever I thought I could know how to run a department I must have been taking a short look. But I'm glad that I'm trying.
All are leaving next year except Dorothy and she may do so. There may some good position come along you know. Oh there's another place where I'd like to talk to you. Miss Marks has been quite sick. The dogs are very well. Elizabeth is coming back and will probably take "Comparative Anatomy" and "Heredity". I am corresponding with Crystal Thompson now in view of her taking Microscopical Technique and The Cell course which is being resurrected while Courses V & VI have been dropped. Did you ever know Edith Abrams who has [been] Bertha Martin's assistant at Wheaton for two years. She would like now to go to a larger place. I'm writing to her to take Esther's place. I have asked recommendations from a couple of places for a candidate for Chris' place. So it goes. A letter and then a telegram this last week from Dr. Pearl offered Chris #1650. if she would come down to Washington to work with him beginning on Friday. Of course I told Chris that I'd try to get some one but she would not hear of crippling the department in any way so she too stayed here with her #400. instead of taking the #1650. I wrote Dr. Pearl immediately and he may be able to get her a job with Howell next year. and perhaps something in Washington this summer. Sylvia Parker is to be with him next year at #1200. You see assistant salary will soon be a different proposition. I see Miss Woolley at 12 on Thursday. Thus far Elizabeth is the only one really engaged to come.
Yesterday Lou & I went to Smith and spent two hours with Dr. Wilder. He was cordiality itself and showed [us] all over the buildings, all his little tricks of doing things. I invited him over to speak to the Biological Club and he said that he would come in the spring - asked him also to recommend one of his girls as an assistant.
I've so many things to tell you about that I'm stumped. I've been writing letters all day. I enclose a circular letters [sic] which I'm sending around. [no longer with the letter] We'll never get reprints any other way - and many have come by this route I think. We have nearly a thousand now. We have a beautiful collection of Echinoderms from Dr. Clarke of Cambridge - 186 species. I've never seen more beautiful ones.
We have the gay life downstairs, histology, embryology and elementary zoology going on together. Do you think there would be harm in asking Miss Woolley up to see a chicken this week. She said the other day that she'd like to see one and I'm sure she'll never be so near again.
I'm going to write one letter to Dr. Sedgwick and then go to bed.
I hope it will not be so long again before I write for I don't like the filling [?] but I do so want to see you and - oh well.
My love to your sisters and my love to you - always.
Ann.