The Johns Hopkins Hospital Dec. 23, 1919.
Lady, dear,
The Supts. are all on deck again & I see no reason why you cannot come here for Jan. 5-9. I return from home Jan. 5th, so don't come any earlier. Nurses' classes are resumed on that day. By the way, in case you are dragged to one of my classes, just for the fun of it don't let on to Miss Tayler who is the Supt. who chaperons me that you know me. I have a great curiosity to hear her descripton of me to a stranger. We have known each other a long time & her reactions interest me. She always chaperons my lectures most carefully, & I wonder if she does not trust me alone with the nurses.
I rode on the car with your friend Dr. Welsh yesterday. As usual she was dying to scrap as usual, & began, "Well, what's Miss. T. doing inspecting nurses' training school? Ha! ha! that's funny business. I suppose Winslow of Yale is behind it. Its about what he does." Ques. And who is Winslow? A. "He's an engineer up in N.H. who thinks women should be taught enough science to use in the kitchen." Silence XXXXX. "Well, I see only one woman at Hopkins got a Hosp. appointment next year. It's the old story. They don't want women in Med. in Pediatrics, Obstetrics or anything else."
A. "We have had a woman in Med. every year since I have been in touch with the Hosp. The girl who would have had it this year is married & no married man or woman can hold a House [?] position. We have had one in Pediatrics every year. Dr. Farrell is returning next year in Obstetrics. We have them in Gyn. Path. & I have known 3 at a time on the Med. Service. Personally I have never felt any discrimination against us. Appointments are a matter of standing."
Dr. W. "Well, if you young ones talk that way we older ones should worry. It is not the experience of Dr. Sherwood & me." Biff-bang. ya - ow - - - -
It is easy to see why she has been discriminated against if she lugs these loaded glares [?] around with her. Maybe they are just for me, but I've failed to find her not in a chronic grouch. I suppose it is personal disappointment that has made her so bitter.
Write me at Sherborn a wee note to say you are well. Terrible about Miss Harper, isn't it.
Lovingly
Esther