Monday
Dear Pat,
I have been looking over the time-tables since you called. I see you have morning trains out of Springfield at 8:06 and 10:07. The 8:06 gets you into New York at 11:25 or 12:05. (I believe the earlier arrival is achieved by getting into the section that hooks on to Train #5 from Boston at New Haven.) However, I have a brass bound picture of you getting up early enough after a late date Friday night to make that one. The 10:07 gets to Grand Central at 1:08 but you can change at New Haven and arrive at Penn Station at 1:15. You can due [sic] this on your through ticket (via Hell Gate Bridge) and you have from 11:30 to 11:42 to make the change at New Haven. That would give you more time to phone us and grab a bite at Penn station before taking the Manhattan Limited -- the good old reliable 2:05.
We couldn't meet the next train, the Red Arrow leaving New York at 5:25 because it gets to Lancaster at 8:10 (the Gazette dinner probably won't be over in time.
The 6:10 gets in at 8:51 which probablymean[s] a short wait for you at the Lancaster station. However, even a short wait among all those paratyphoids would be anathema to Mother. [next to the strikeout was the note "Scratched Saturdays"]So if you miss the 2:05 you might as well take the Penna. Limited at 6:55 and I can duck out of bridge club long enough to meet you at 9:38[.] Call home first and if no answer try Grandma's -- 64307. remember?
Course we'll expect a phone call Friday saying you're in New York and taking the 6:10 or 6:55. We should be home by 5:30 and I doubt whether you can get to New York before 5:00 to call mother at the Gazette.
I can't imagine what would be wrong with the flash gun. You might check it in the battery compartment. Be sure one battery is up and the other pointed down. See that there is nothing in the battery compartment that could cause a short. See that the flash gun is mounted securely on the accessory clip and then the locking lever pressed down firmly. If the bulb flashes when inserting it in the gun while it is not attached to the camera it would indicate the trouble is in the gun. On the other hand, if it flashes only when being inserted while the gun is mounted on the camera, there is smoething [sic] wrong with the camera. Are you sure you didn't have the shutter open on bulb setting or something? If you make these tests, be sure to remove the bulb before mounting the gun on the camera. You didn't twist the bulbs after inserting them, did you? They are to be pushed straight in after aligning the bulb base studs with the slots in the reflector socket.
If you can't get it to work, don't bother to bring the bulbs home with you. I bought more in New York. Macy's had Westinghouse No. 5's at 79¢ per dozen. Just be sure to bring the camera and accessories home safely.
See you soon.
Love,
Dad[The letter was typewritten. Pat's mother added a handwritten postscript.]
Patty don't bring two coats. If you want to wear your gray one okay. If you wear your red one you can wear one of my old ones for rough about.