15 Frederick Street
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Jan. 14, 1941.
Dear little girl: Your honorable mother is taking her pen in hand. She is recuperating from a light attack of Grippe or Flu or I think "the Bug" would be the best name. I did not feel very chipper on Sunday - but taught and sang etc. etc. Yesterday, I went to the Dentist's but came right home - didn't stop for lunch - as again I didn't feel like walking in the cold wind. Had a nice lunch cocoa and salt salmon - and then lay down and slept - When I woke up I thought my back would break in two and my eyeballs!!!
Papa went to the Country Club - he left at 5.45 and at 7.10 - They called up from the Club that he and Mr. Carpenter hadn't arrived yet. I didn't worry - for I knew that the right, rear tire - didn't look at all healthy - or healthfull [sic] - in fact - it didn't look full of anything - I was right. Pop had a flat on the way to Waterbury where he was to meet Mr. Carpenter. He had it fixed - and made good time - and he and Mr. C. were not the last to arrive. A lot of the members were sick with the Flu. The dentist Dr. Jackson was sick in bed and some others - I don't remember their names. All the nominating com. were down with the exception of Dud Atwood. Papa said they had a lovely supper Tomato Bisque Steak - mashed pop. peas. lots of olives and celery and rolls. Ice Cream with choc. sauce - Papa's talk was a success. Dan invited Papa to go with him to Seymour Stamp Club on Wednesday - where a friend of Papa's Mr. de Groot - from the New Haven Stamp Club is to be the speaker. The Naugatuck Stamp Club is invited too. On Thursday, there is to be a District Meeting in Middletown (Mr. Withey's Church) Mr. Long is going to drive Papa over. They have a turkey dinner and Papa has to pay 75 cents for it.
I am stopping this letter to write a report as a lay local preacher - and send it to-night to Mr. Wilcock who is the chairman. It has to reach him to-morrow. I haven't been able to buy the stockings yet. Papa has to buy a new tire. The one that "flatted" last night - is gone - as well as the inner tube. That wasn't the reason - I didn't buy the stockings. It was because I hadn't been able to go to Waterbury. to buy them. I stayed in bed all day. Went down to Supper - but wasn't I glad to get back to bed. Felt all gone in the pit of my stomach. Feel fine as long as I am lying down. No fever. This morning temp was low 973. Taking asp. and soda - the asp. keeps the pain in my back - down - Andrewsia has just come up and is lying on my shoulder. Seems to know I am sick. Brownie hasn't left me all day. Kind of difficult to write and not disturb her. She is full of carrots. and is purring like mad. Brownie is so sound asleep - and tired out - he don't know Andrewsia is on my shoulder.
About the Provost boy. You know "good manners" is not the Stutt's middle name - so I don't know just what to say - but I don't imagine it would do any harm. His name is Billy Provost to his friends - William in other words. Maybe the "Don"is a nickname he has acquired in later years. Why didn't you ask the girls if he came from Portchester. Would be queer if it was Billy Provost they were talking about[.] The name is not ordinary. His father has been ass. past master for years and years. Why don't you try writing to him - It won't do any harm - and he might come over - out of curiosity - May be his manners - will be O.K. College does a lot for boys in regards to manners - It would be convenient for him to come over. You know he "made" the band. That seemed to be very important. Will close now - and go to bed or rather go to sleep.
Love Mamma.
[Handwriting change from Mamma to Pop]
P.S.:- Mama's discussion concerning Billy Provost's manners is not intended to imply that he is not a gentleman or that he would act uncouth - but simply not to be disappointed if he doesn't answer or something like that. The more shots one fires, the more chance of hitting something (as Hon. Charley Chan might say.) Charming and glamorous Offspring, your parents send their love. X X X X X X X X X X
Pop.
