15 January 1946

New York

Dearest Mom

The ship will be here at least until the 23^rd probably ‘til the 24^th or 25^th. So, if the Mirsky's are right about your arriving on the 25^th perhaps I will be able to se you. But there's a good change that we'll sail the day before you arrive. Damned bad luck. Also I'll miss Reba II's week in N.Y.

I had a good time in Indiana although I can't say I prefer the midwest to the rest of the U.S I don't like the accent of speech remember Willkie? And the topography is uninteresting flat or gently rolling. I daresay it's pretty in summer, though, with everything green.

I.U. physically is pretty I don't know about its teaching, but Rebsie likes it. I'm interested and worried about one thing - I.U. is highly organized, and the midwest is highly anti Semitic anyway, so little Reba has run against the social handicap of being Jewish for the first time. A couple of non-jew sororities rushed her before they found out and of course dropped her like a hot potato, and she has lost several good friends after they discovered the fact, and the frat boys aren't allowed to go out with Jews. So the bad result is that her class friends are Jews, and she is very bitter about the accident of birth.

Philip Wylie, in his Generation of Vipers, has a lot to say about this. Perhaps you've read it. If not, you should.

I'm happy you're having luck with your Japanese. It's about time the care of the house and garden was made easier for you.

When will Pete finish P.J.C., and where will he go then? I think he aught to go to some progressive and liberal institution, although he seems to have done well in Pasadena's stodgy schools.

I'm going to have a hard time getting into a college. Have you noticed how over-crowded they all are already? Some of the big state universities just refuse to take any more applications. That makes another reason why I'll have to go to P.J.C. unless it too is over -full. Looks bad.

College girls complained: 2/3 of the veterans are married, the rest engaged.

All my love to you, sugar plum. XXX's and OOO's

Linus