To Miss Abby H Turner
South Hadley
Mass. U.S.A.From K. Lyman
American University
Beirut, Lebanon
July 8, 1944Dear Miss Turner,
Yours of June 5 arrived today. I have been knowing that soon I would write you. Actually a half written note is hidden in one of my destks, here a [sic] at the office. For two years I have been trying to subscribe to Time and lo a month ago the copies commenced coming, overseas edition. The pleasure of success coming out of persistence was mine. Then one day a notice saying the subscription was coming on the request of Miss Abby Turner. So you see? Thank you a thousand times. I read it from cover to cover. Apparently people at home can start subscriptions but people out of the country can't. My sister in law started The New Yorker recently for me, so I am well supplied. Books can be sent from shops or publishers I believe, but not otherwise. If stockings could be sent from any place it would be pleasant, especially size 10, in either white or a medium street shade. My Libby would reimburse any such venture. Don't make any special effort however.
I'm delighted with Time. It was heartening to hear of your year's work. I should have liked to housekeep in your supply cupboards. Very few pleasures have been more intense to my mundane soul than the beautiful array of kymographs bottles, ringstands etc which I used to set out "in pattern" for senior physiology when I did "dom" work. The nearest approach to the scientific life I have achieved. Maybe I was the only one who really enjoyed the exact repetition from table to table.
It will be lovely for you to see my Libby. When I saw her at the age of 12 after two years' absence her quality of beauty made me a little breathless. She hasn't quite that particular loveliness now, but I know she must be quite perfect. Once conversations from her babyhood have always included two phrases tucked in somewhere "my Libby!" and "my Aunt Katharine." I'm glad she is so happy at Holyoke. Next fall, Katharine, Don's daughter, will be starting and I have hopes of being in the offing. It is a joy for you to see your Chinese student in her progress.
Your letter came at seven this evening & I left it at the hospital by mistake. It is time to write you of this situation I think. For years the scene has steadily deteriorated. It is a long story. The war has helped. The medical school was the really significant portion of the enterprize. There were a few blithe spirits. For one reason or another this one and that one has gone. No replacements, so the propation has shifted until the voting element can no longer keep American leadership significant. There were perhaps three Americans were [sic] were only left in the medical school whose ability & disinterest could one be sure of. As long as the dean was here one could hope to hold out until better days. Now he on his first furlough in eleven years was forced to resign by the powers that be. Plenty of dirty work at the crossroads was necessary. It is plain suicide for the institution. Only two others left on the medical faculty can be respected or followed. They will not stay long. I can not possibly stay under these conditions. I am sorry because it is a job I have fitted well and it has fitted me. There will be good friends I hate to leave but I can't possibly, unless a miracle should occur, contemplate a continuation here. It is too bad. The place should be a significant nucleus and petty personal jealousy has ruined it.
My problem is to do the thing inconspicuously. It seems best to continue this year. I have applied for furlough next year, after seven years work and will simply drop out of the picture when the time comes, with as little disturbance to the scene as possible. I am writing this to you but will not say as much to my family. Families build hopes and if the miracle were to occur or if something else should loom up to change my course, then it would be too bad to disappoint them. I'll tell them I'm coming for leave. There is lots to do in the nursing world and maybe my experience will offset middle age. (I'm 46 nearly) so that I can build into something else. Katharine must get through college and then Shirley my twin brother's daughter will need some help. - So there it is. I like my job. I love the hospital & patients, my graduate nurses especiallly and every year a whole new class.
Never mind. I'll be seeing you a year from now if all goes well.
Love as ever
Katy