[This letter was written inside a handmade greeting card.]
Boone School
Wuchang, China
Jan. 20, 1932
Dear Abby -
A gray, sodden January day. Yesterday spring seemed just around the corner. Our coolie was hard at work in the garden - the lettuce, cabbage and sweet peas all looked perky and confident. Goodness knows we need the rain. With the characteristic perversity of the Yang-tse Valley we've had an almost uninterrupted drouth [sic] since the torrential rains of the summer stopped. I can't recall such a serious water famine all these last months, altho' miles of land are still inundated.
The problems raised by the flood won't be settled for many moons yet. A great deal of magnificent work has been done but there have been many blunders and much of the usual official corruption and obstruction.
Of course the poor government has been tottering all this time and unequal to the dealing with such terrific problems from every point of view. From day to day we wonder "what next." Lucily for us the local government is strong. We have had no rioting and no student demonstrations. So far the Reds have been kept at bay although they encircle this important centre. We do feel that many measures have been ill-judged and likely to turn refugees into Reds.
In this centre the anti-Japanese boycott have been raised and the posters torn down and the attention of the people diverted elsewhere. But again we ask "What next?"
Amidst all the tumult we have just finished a fine semester's work. Not since '26 have we had such a good spirit here or such a fine attitude toward Christianity.
I have been on the college staff, teaching Eng. Lit. and enjoying it. Our cross-stitch work hasn't re-opened this winter for various reasons, but probably will in February - after China New Year.
It was ever so nice to get your card and note in a recent mail.
I am greatly troubled about Elizabeth. I haven't heard from her in many months but she wrote my cousin Ellen that she was absolutely penniless.
I do hope you can find time to have an occasional talk with Katharine. She seems to me to be utterly reckless of her health and strength and prone to all sorts of silly food fads. I have been very uneasy about her all this fall. I have feared a real break-down and the discouraging thing is that she seems to have less sense than last year!
This is by way of tendering you my birthday greetings. Don't you think China hankies are quite equal to swiss ones?
Everard is well and enjoying this bit of vacation between terms.
With all good wishes,
Your old friend
Lucy